The Women’s Equality Party (WEP) has sacked one of its senior members after complaints were made about her views on human biology.
Dr Heather Brunskell-Evans was investigated by the party after being accused of promoting prejudice against transsexuals for telling BBC Radio 4’s Moral Maze that a man cannot become a woman.
The WEP has now removed Dr Brunskell-Evans from her position as spokeswoman for violence against women and girls.
Resigned
Dr Brunskell-Evans said she will not appeal the decision and has left the party.
Today @WEP_UK have reached the conclusion to their investigation. They say they recommend I do not continue in my role as Party Spokeswoman for violence against women and girls to take effect immediately. I will not appeal and I resign my membership #vawg
— H Brunskell-Evans (@brunskellevans) February 20, 2018
Several other party members have resigned in response her sacking.
Self-identification
Dr Brunskell-Evans was put under investigation for telling the Moral Maze it is a “problem” when people decide that a boy who wants to wear girls clothes “is genuinely internally and in some sense not a boy but a girl”.
Currently, an adult who has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and lived for two years as a person of the opposite sex, can apply for a gender recognition certificate. But pressure is increasing to introduce the ‘self-declaration’ of legal sex.
Theresa May has spoken of reviewing current laws on transsexualism, noting that she wants to ensure “transgender rights are supported”.
The Scottish Government is already consulting on this process and guidance has been introduced which says teachers should encourage children to ‘explore their gender identity’ without parental consent.