|
UPDATE FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY FORUM ON TRANSSEXUALISM
Based on the notes of the meeting of July 5 2001
- Academic Studies and Good Practice
Progress re Oxford Text Book of Psychiatry
The Forum spoke to Professor Gelder, the principle author and he was quite receptive to our concerns.
A Forum member has written the chapters for the new version.
It was agreed that the issue has now been dealt with however there was concern that old material may still be referred to Medical schools’ material for teaching purposes is out of date. A post-graduate doctor who is a trans person had complained about the material. Forum to do a letter to medical school deans asking them to check material and to ask for copies of current handouts and reading lists.
- Draft guidance to Health Authorities:
Four NHS Trusts provide direct treatment: Charing Cross, Leeds, Newcastle and Leicester.
The Forum has been getting letters from HA’s saying that treatment is only offered in exceptional circumstances (Oxford is one of them) and they seem not to know about the judgement in the High Court case, A, D and G v N-W Lancashire Health Authority that the policy of refusing treatment was unlawful.
Over the summer, good practice guidelines for HAs will be drawn up by the Forum and GIRES (Gender Identity Research and Education Society). When guidelines are ready the Forum will ask HAs for comment and for their code of practice, we will also use the opportunity to ask HAs about the commissioning of services by trusts. This should give information about treatment providers.
The Press for Change (PFC) survey on satisfaction levels with treatment outcomes has been completed and the results will be disseminated soon. It was agreed that this should also be enclosed with guidelines for HAs. After consultation, guidelines will be sent to the DoH for evaluation with a request that they either support them or refer them to NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence). The Forum will be putting pressure on the DoH as it is their role to produce guidelines. The letter to HAs will point out the legal position arising from the above case as some HAs’ practice is unlawful.
It was noted that trusts in Northern Ireland are asking what is the appropriate way to treat trans people, for example in A&E.
- Campaigning to take forward the Departmental Working Group Report:
Forum to contact John Bercow or his successor (shadow Home Affairs spokesperson).
PFC are analysing responses to lobbying.
Almost a year has passed since the publication of the Report. Lynne Jones to get clarification on which department is responsible for taking the Report forward (unclear whether it is Home Office or Lord Chancellor’s Dept). Note from LJ: the Lord Chancellor’s Department is now responsible.
The Forum noted that there is a new Cabinet Office body responsible for equality issues under Baroness (Sally) Morgan – to be borne in mind for lobbying.
LJ to sponsor an Early Day Motion to welcome the Report and express concern that after a year no progress has been made and that there has been no real consultation. Note from LJ: this was tabled 18/7/01 copy below, please write to your MP and ask them to sign.
EDM 185
| |
REPORT OF INTERDEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON TRANSEXUAL PEOPLE |
18.07.01 |
| |
| Lynne Jones |
| Ms Diane Abbott |
Jeremy Corbyn |
Mrs Ann Cryer |
| Valerie Davey |
Mr Bill Etherington |
Mr Neil Gerrard |
| Dr Ian Gibson |
Dr Evan Harris |
Mr David Lepper |
| Mr Paul Marsden |
John McDonnell |
Mr Tony McWalter |
| Mr David Rendel |
Derek Wyatt |
|
15 signatures |
| |
That this House notes that, in welcoming the publication of the Home Office Report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Transsexual People in July 2000, the then Home Secretary recognised that the journey which individuals face when they find that they have been born with the wrong gender can be deeply distressing and depressing for them, and that 'we have to approach their circumstances with compassion and care'; notes his statement that the Government would welcome public comments on the Report before coming to firm conclusions on its recommendations; expresses its concern that after a year no progress has been made and that there has been no real consultation; and calls on the Government to take the Report forward, particularly in the light of the state of the current law, which counts the 20-year marriage of Liz Bellinger as unlawful. |
The Forum is keen to maintain cross party support – need to get a Tory on board. EDM to be tabled before house rises, then a 10 Minute Rule Bill in the autumn.
- Police recruitment:
A special constable from Essex Police made a presentation entitled: Essex Police, Report on Current Issues Surrounding Transsexualism in within the Police Service on the work, she, and her colleagues are doing.
She has been a part time member of the Special Constabulary in Essex Police for 10 years and first discussed her intentions to change gender in 1999. Since then she reported that there have been many positive advances within Essex Police and January 2001 saw the launch of a focus group on transsexual employees.
One issue is around body searches. There was a judgement in 1996 of an industrial tribunal in the case of M-v-West Midlands Police, where it was ruled that a trans woman could be legally turned down for employment in the police force on the grounds that her sex being legally male, she would be unable to carry out the full range of duties – focussing on the searching of persons in custody. A colleague of the special constable pointed out that in reality, such searches are carried out very rarely and another officer can be requested to be present if there are any concerns. This is an example of the discrimination and unenlightened attitude that remains in the Police Service (there is no policy nationally). In Essex the Chief Constable is very supportive and has given his support to a national conference to be held early 2002 at the National Police Training College. There is a lot of networking that is going in the right direction. Essex Police are working on some guidelines for the Police Service and they will send a copy of these to the Forum when they are complete. Armed forces have a number of protocols that may be of use to the police.
- Birth Certificates:
Bulger Case - possible implications for TS people if Jon Venables and Robert Thompson are given new birth certificates. LJ has written to the Home Office to ask if new birth certificates have been issued.
Note from LJ: Since the Forum, I have received a reply from the Home Office stating that "The original birth certificates issued to the young men cannot be altered"
- DNA testing
A constituent of LJ is concerned that her gender at birth would be revealed by a Police DNA test. LJ has written to the Home Office for clarification. The Forum has checked with the Police and they do check the sex marker at the forensic laboratory but this information is not divulged to anyone (including the officers who send in the samples). Note from LJ: A reply has now been received from the Home Office confirming this.
- Date of next Meeting: November 2001
|