Shameful Tory party debate puts Scottish equality in jeopardy
Speaking in a Tory debate today, Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman will condemn Tory attempts to demonise trans people and rollback equality in Scotland, offering her support and solidarity to those impacted by Tory scaremongering.
Ms Chapman has lodged an amendment to the Tory motion stating that all women deserve protection from misogyny, including trans women, and condemning the rise in transphobic rhetoric and policy seen in the UK and across the globe.
Ms Chapman will open her speech by saying: “The tone and content of this motion, intentionally or otherwise, are deeply damaging.
“They threaten the rights and wellbeing of all women, cis as well as trans. They obscure an accurate understanding of law and policy. They present a deterministic view that belies the lived reality of many. And they jeopardise serious and cooperative work to progress equality in Scotland.”
Ms Chapman will go on to highlight the growing international anti-trans rights movement while celebrating the many positive roles that trans people play all across our communities.
Ms Chapman will say: “Nothing has changed, in terms of our transgender friends, relatives, comrades, colleagues and neighbours. They are living as they always have, some campaigning, some writing and speaking of their experiences, most just getting on with their lives, working, studying, eating, sleeping, cooking, dancing, reading – yes, and going to the toilet and getting changed. It’s what human beings do.
“Everything, it seems, has changed in terms of the world we live in. The cruelty of Trump, his crude violence, his naked power, has somehow excited and emboldened anti-trans voices elsewhere. Because he has forced his own fellow citizens out of their jobs, their sports, their social lives, his followers think that they can do the same.
“Do they think that humanity, human rights, simple decency and respect just don’t count anymore?”
In closing Ms Chapman will urge MSPs from across the Chamber to recognise the impact and the pain caused by the debate in Scotland and urge them to stand up for human rights.
Ms Chapman will close by saying: “We in the Scottish Greens have not changed. And there are others here this afternoon who have not changed either.
“There are, I know, members across this chamber who will stand as I do, in solidarity, care, love and respect for our trans and nonbinary siblings, our hearts aching at the pain they once again are, with such injustice, called upon to bear. We, so far as we can, share that pain.
“Everyone deserves safety, everyone deserves respect, everyone deserves protection of their human rights. That’s what universal means.”