I know my opinion doesn’t count for much. I’m a faceless name on Twitter (for valid reasons I won’t dilute this message with). However I have been massively affected by what has taken place over the last few days in Scotland and I wanted to air my feelings around this. 1/
We are being told that sex and gender are interchangeable by many and that changing the wording within the amazing Forensic Medical Services Bill makes no difference to the services survivors receive.

We are told this as though we haven’t been privy to the raging debate 2/
around it for the last few years. In years past people often replaced sex with gender to appease sensibilities around sex. This was an accepted practice because it caused no real concerns or issues in regard to the actual protected characteristic of sex. 3/
However, in more recent times gender is no longer used in the same way. Gender is not defined in law but it is being conflated with sex to the extent that people are suggesting that they mean the same thing. They do not and the law agrees that they don’t. 4/
There appears to have been policy capture at the highest levels, within our government, LA’s, NHS and other orgs. These places have made preemptive assumptions on advice from lobby groups that they proudly display champion badges for and pay thousands of pounds to each year. 5/
This has resulted in the conflation of the words sex and gender, despite one being protected in law and the other not.

Why does this matter?

When we consider sex we consider male and female. It’s how the majority of the population understand it. 6/
When we think about gender we consider identity. How someone may identify as the opposite sex, so as male or female.

Therefore to be told that they are interchangeable and it makes no difference which one is used, is not correct.7/
This is of particular importance when we consider the impact it could have for someone who has been raped to be faced with someone identifying with the opposite sex as opposed someone of the same sex.

They will have a trauma response that they’re not in control of. 8/
They will often respond to sight, smell, taste and other senses that do not follow a pattern of what we consider rational in other circumstances. This, it should be stated clearly, is a normal reaction to have under extremely traumatic experiences. It is not bigotry. 9/
It is not hateful. It is a flight, fright, freeze response to what they perceive as danger. It’s how the brain works. There is no controlling this response. No matter what is done or said or told to a person experiencing this reaction. 10/
That was why the impact of the #SixWords amendment was felt by so many people. We know that to have a trauma response is NOT hateful. It has nothing to do with how someone presents or identifies and has everything to do with the experience of the survivor. 11/
Being told that making the change to sex from gender within the Bill changes nothing is therefore untrue.

It changes so much. It offers peace of mind to survivors who understand the difference between what sex and gender mean today.12/
That is why so many women have responded to this. We understand what this means, many of us being survivors ourselves and many able to appreciate the potential of being in this position in the future.

We haven’t responded in hatred for anyone. We haven’t been abusive. 13/
We, I, am now questioning what impact this policy capture is having and what this means moving forward.

I believe that we need to investigate how women’s organisations are funded in Scotland to make sure that conflicts of interest are kept to a minimum, particularly...14/
in instances where there is real life impact of vulnerable people.

I wouldn’t wish abuse on anyone or any organisation. I wish for recognition that what was being presented by orgs and gov was not in the best interest of vulnerable women who spoke up so bravely. 15/
As citizens of Scotland, we will push forward with protecting women and girls, and all children, to make sure that they get the best representation for their needs.

If this means questioning authority, so be it. 16/

#SexNotGender
#WomensRightsAreHumanRights
I wanted to add that I’m really grateful to all the women who stood up and pushed this forward. @JohannLamont @ForwomenScot in particular but everyone, all 113 of the MSP’s who chose to vote in this amendment. You’ve made a difference, even if you’re told it doesn’t matter. /End
Sorry for lengthy tweet.
I didn’t realise this thread would reach so many people, although I hoped it would resonate with those it did.

We realise the importance of sex in law & the impact this can have. If you’re able, please donate to @ForwomenScot judicial review against the Scottish Government https://twitter.com/forwomenscot/status/1317088651407462406
You can follow @Joy_ismyname_.
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