EHRC accused of ‘transphobia’ by LGBT activists for evidenced-based approach

LGBT activists have attacked the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) for seeking to approach gender ideology in an “evidence-based” and impartial manner.

The EHRC recently urged the Scottish Government to pause its radical ‘sex swap’ plans. The Commission’s head, Baroness Falkner of Margravine, highlighted the “genuine public concern” that “actions intended to promote the rights of trans people are perceived to conflict with those protecting the rights of women”.

In response, the website VICE World News has claimed that EHRC employees think the watchdog is “transphobic”, with some having left over the issue and others considering strike action.

Evidence

One former employee is reported as criticising board members for “building links” to groups which uphold the reality of biological sex, while another complained “there was suddenly this new kind of emphasis on the need to be ‘evidence based'”.

Another former EHRC employee was reportedly concerned that: “When I started in 2018, we were all celebrating LGBT rights”, adding “It’s like working for a different organisation now.”

Following the accusations, the EHRC tweeted: “We are aware that allegations have been published about the integrity of our Commissioners, with unsubstantiated and incorrect statements that rely on information taken out of context. We are an independent, statutory body.”

unsubstantiated and incorrect statements

Ben Hunte, the author of VICE World News’s article, was previously employed by the BBC as its LGBT correspondent. In July last year, the Corporation was forced to acknowledge that Hunte’s article stating that a High Court ruling on puberty-blocking drugs could cause gender-confused young people to commit suicide was one-sided and endangered vulnerable people.

Biological sex

Last month, the EHRC advised the Scottish Government that the “established legal concept of sex” gave the “correct balanced legal framework that protects everyone”.

A Scottish Government spokesman said that, while it would consider the EHRC’s letter, “our proposals to reform the current Gender Recognition Act do not introduce any new rights for trans people or change single sex exceptions in the Equality Act.”

The Scottish Government’s proposals on changing legal sex include removing the need for applicants to provide any medical evidence, reducing the two-year waiting period to three months and even allowing those as young as 16 to legally alter their birth sex.