Text of complaint to Labour Party over Jenny Marra MSP

Jenny Marra is hosting an event on 20th November in the Scottish Parliament to launch what is purported to be a “Declaration on Women’s Sex-Based Rights” from a new international women’s rights group. The group consists of only two individuals (as per their website https://www.womensdeclaration.com/) - Heather Brunksell Evans and Sheila Jeffreys.

While on the face of it, all well and good and I support all measures to combat discrimination and promote the rights of women and all minorities - this declaration is in fact an anti-transgender (primarily anti transgender women) manifesto.

But don’t take my word for it (from https://www.commonspace.scot/articles/14877/feminists-warn-blurred-lines-between-free-speech-and-hate-speech-trans-people-ahead?fbclid=IwAR2yue-RLROjOGr9-fz3nTUQk7GFC2QvJL_rHMj4hQoAMA35k66x2BY-xTg): ‘Speaking to CommonSpace, Engender director Emma Ritch said: "Engender works for women's rights in Scotland and internationally – we know that human rights are a vital part of seeing women in Scotland have an equal share of power, resources and safety.

“This so-called ‘declaration on women’s sex-based rights’, however, doesn’t include women's rights to housing, pay equality, access to justice, social security, education, or political representation. When it talks about violence against women, freedom of expression, and children's rights it does so entirely through the warped lens of antipathy towards trans people.

"Participants at this event will not hear about the vital women's rights work happening in Scotland or across the rest of the UK, or the priorities for action generated by the thousands of women who took part in this year's UN CEDAW [United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women] shadow process.”

Ritch added that the organisation did not believe the declaration was “merely a clumsily-worded but well-intentioned document by those who wish to support women’s rights”.

This view, she said, was confirmed by the fact that one of the scheduled speakers – Sheila Jeffreys, co-founder of the campaign – “compare[d] trans women to 'parasites'” at a similar event in Westminster last year.’

And: ‘
A spokeswoman for Scottish Women’s Aid told CommonSpace: “For over forty years Scottish Women’s Aid has worked to protect women and children and to fight against discrimination and inequality.

“We are immensely saddened that the Scottish Parliament, an institution we value and care so much about, would be used by those seeking to stigmatise and discriminate against trans women, especially on Transgender Day of Remembrance.

“We are worried that some of the debate around trans inclusion has blurred the line between free speech and hate speech.’

Also: ‘Co-director of anti-violence against women campaign organisation Zero Tolerance Laura Tomson told CommonSpace there was “a false and harmful narrative being created around trans rights”.

Thomson said: “The reality is that women, including trans women, and non-binary people face violence from men and this is what we must all work to end.

“Violence against women, homophobia and transphobia are all caused by gender inequality. Being critical of gender norms and the gender binary is part of dismantling this inequality.’

And ‘Director of YWCA Scotland (The Young Women’s Movement) Dr Patrycja Kupiec said [...] “This event on the surface appears to be defending women's rights, but on closer inspection of the declaration seems to be more focused on the rollback of trans people's rights as enshrined in UK and EU equality law.’

As a supporter (although not member) of the Labour Party because of its commitment to equality and it’s recognition that although a group may be a small minority, their rights are as important (but not above) the majority; I’m saddened to see one of your elected officials supporting such transphobia.

That the launch is to take place on 20th November - internationally recognised as the Transgender Day of Remembrance (something I fail to accept is mere coincidence: the people are undoubtedly aware of the TDoR) - adds insult to injury.

I request this is examined as a matter of urgency and my sincere wish is that the Labour Party formally distance themselves from this event and those who support such blatant transphobia.

Thank you