8/15/2023 0 Comments Female vice lordsI am most grateful to everyone who has spoken to me, because there are two broad positions. The House of Commons Library has also produced a debate pack that covers the complexity of the legal issues behind the two petitions. I thank them all for their time and input. In order to prepare for the debate, the Committee Clerks arranged for me to meet the petitioners and organisations supporting these two petitions. We may draw different conclusions from historic debates on the legislation, but our responsibility is to make our decisions on what would be the right law to have now. Our task is to make decisions on the boundary of rights and to take responsibility, rather than passing it on. We are holding this debate on behalf of individual people facing discrimination, and in support of service providers and public servants who have a deep commitment to reducing discrimination and to providing safe and welcoming environments. However, it is for the House to decide the way those rights are formed and how they are interpreted. This is a debate that will explore the difficult interrelationships that exist between rights, and it will mark the difficult lines between which individuals’ and collective rights are drawn. It is a mark of adult politics not to pretend that we are in perfect agreement on every issue, and Westminster Hall debates like this offer the opportunity for us to explore issues, free from the usual pressures of votes and the instructions of the Whips. The conversations that I get the most out of are the ones where I explore, learn and am able to disagree agreeably. I will not be cowed when looking out for my constituents, be they lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans. I am afraid that asking probing and difficult questions to get through issues and problems is in my nature. My priority has always been the wellbeing of those in my care, be they adults or children. I was in education for 20 years before coming to this place. The nature of this debate means that those views differ across the House, and even within our own respective parties. This is a set of issues on which views are held profoundly and with good intentions. We can demonstrate, here at Westminster, that we can freely express and listen to different opinions. Members from all parts of the House can model the respectful, adult conversations that are needed across society. She will also understand that we are in a difficult position: we are legislators, and where there is something that needs to be addressed, as there is in these two petitions, it is down to us to stand up and make that change and have the conversation. Member listens to my speech, I think she will understand the compassion with which I speak. Link to this speech In context Individually.Others have told me of how they are relieved and happy that we are finally discussing it in Parliament. Many people have told me that this is something that they are afraid to speak of, and some say it should not be discussed at all. Opinions about the relationship between biological sex, gender identity and the law divide organisations, political parties, and even family and friends. One petition calls on the Government to update the Equality Act 2010 to make the characteristic of sex refer to biological sex, and the other petition calls on the Government to commit to not amending the Act’s definition of sex. I am pleased to open the debate on the petitions on behalf of the Petitions Committee. It is an honour to serve under your chairship, Mrs Cummins. Has considered e-petitions 623284, relating to the definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010.
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