Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf: Trans women will be protected by misogyny law
News
Scotland’s First Minister has declared that trans women will be included under any forthcoming misogyny laws.
Humza Yousaf affirmed that “anyone affected” by misogyny would receive protection, irrespective of their biological sex. He also mentioned that the Scottish government would not devote an “inordinate” amount of time determining whether to adopt the recommendations from the recent Cass Review regarding gender care.
According to ‘BBC’, the government aims to pass a bill addressing misogyny by the end of the current parliamentary session in 2026, following insights from a review by human rights lawyer, Baroness Helena Kennedy KC.
Yousaf explained that the decision not to include women in the recent Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, which was activated on April 1, was influenced by conversations with various women’s groups.
When questioned if new legislation would encompass transgender women, Yousaf confirmed it would, as the perpetrators of misogyny often cannot tell if their target is a trans or cis woman. He explained to BBC's Good Morning Scotland, “Women and girls will be protected, and trans women will be protected as well, as they will often be the ones who suffer threats of rape or threats of disfigurement for example.”
“When a trans woman is walking down the street and a threat of rape is made against them, the man making the threat doesn’t know if they are a trans woman or a cis woman. They will make that threat because the perception of that person [is] as a woman.”
The First Minister noted that the legislative proposal would progress with “urgency and pace” given the substantial concerns expressed about sex discrimination not being covered in the recent hate crime legislation.
Baroness Kennedy's report suggested creating a distinct law for “the spectrum of misogynistic conduct,” as opposed to incorporating it within the existing hate crime laws.
A government spokesperson earlier stated that a misogyny bill would “create a new focus on protecting women and girls to address criminal behavior motivated purely by misogyny.”
Image Credit: Canva
Police Scotland data indicated a significant reduction in online hate reports by almost 75% in the second week following the implementation of the new hate crime laws.
During a parliamentary statement, Justice Secretary Angela Constance acknowledged that more could have been done to educate the public about the act, stating, “I accept that the Scottish government could have done more to inform people about this act as well as our wider approach to tackling hate crime and prejudice.”
“However, let’s be clear even if the government had produced more information bad faith actors who are intent on spreading misinformation would have done so regardless.”
Yousaf also remarked that “all aspects" of Dr. Hilary Cass’s review of NHS England’s gender identity services for minors will be taken into account by the Scottish government. The review highlighted the weak evidence base for medical interventions in gender care for youngsters and pointed out that a public discourse around gender had adversely affected the children involved.
Addressing the use of puberty blockers, Yousaf stated, “Every recommendation that Dr Cass makes will be considered as part of that consideration of the entire report including the recommendations that she makes in relation to puberty blockers, and that is one element of the recommendations that Dr Cass makes.”
“There's a number of recommendations - all of them will be given consideration.”
He further emphasised that decisions on medical treatments should be directed by clinical professionals rather than politicians.
Scotland’s Sandyford Clinic will remain operational, as the government contemplates the creation of additional regional hubs. Yousaf reassured that his administration “won't be taking an inordinate amount of time to consider” the findings of the Cass review amidst criticisms of stalling from the Scottish Conservatives.
In reaction, the party’s deputy leader, Meghan Gallacher, criticised the leadership’s hesitance to immediately reconsider the prescribing of puberty blockers based on the review's findings.
Furthermore, the reference to cis women by the First Minister was termed “offensive” by Alba Party MSP Ash Regan while author JK Rowling criticised the proposed misogyny law on X, formerly known as Twitter, for including protections she perceived as extending unduly to men.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Humza Yousaf To Become New Scottish First Minister
Nicola Sturgeon Successor Shouldn’t Be Against Gay Marriage, Says SNP’s Humza Yousaf
Conversion Therapy Ban Proposal Published By Scottish Government
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews
