Katie Roche's Blog

Is the Tide Finally Turning on Trans Issues?

It’s been a dizzying few weeks for gender-critical feminism in the UK. So much has happened with the transgender movement and women’s rights. I’ve started to write this post so many times and then a new big story has broken. It seems the tide is finally turning on trans issues!

First, there’s been several important legal victories for gender-critical feminists. Alison Bailey won her case after being dismissed from her law chambers. Bailey is a barrister who lost her job after her law firm consulted with Stonewall. Stonewall recommended she be dismissed because of her views on trans issues. But that’s not all. Maya Forstater has also won the final stage of her tribunal. She’d already won part of her case at the upper tribunal. But now she’s won the rest of the case too.

There have also been some key victories with clinical practice. In a surprising turn, the NHS has announced the closure of the Tavistock clinic after the Cass Review criticised it. The review, condemned the clinic for many reasons, including being too ready to affirm their patient’s gender identity. Instead, gender identity services will be transferred to new clinics around the UK. Are we finally seeing science triumph over gender ideologues?

As well, there have been some promising signs in politics. First, the shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves’ recent interview in the Sunday Times showed common sense on trans issues in. Amongst other things, she questioned the practice of declaring gender pronouns and supported single sex spaces. It’s also interesting that Marsha de Cordova congratulated Forstater on Twitter after her victory. It’s not just the Labour Party who are returning to common sense over the trans issue. In the Conservative leadership contest, both of the candidates have supported women’s rights over trans rights. Meanwhile, Stonewall is unravelling. Their recent tweet about two-year-old children being aware of their gender identity was a pivotal moment. It vindicated critics. And it showed the most ardent supporters that Stonewall is no longer the moderate gay rights organisation they were. Over the past year, employers have been withdrawing from Stonewall’s diversity champion scheme. Now, any remnants of influence are falling away.

Finally, the tide is turning. About time too. There are so many serious issues to tackle right now. Like the cost-of-living crisis, the NHS and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Gender critical feminists have worked so hard to get to this point. But don’t become complacent: there is still a way to go. For instance, Richie Heron’s legal case against the NHS for wrongful transition. Still, there is much to be pleased about.

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