I’ve seen loads of disagreement around the term ‘Self ID’ when discussing trans issues.

It actually means different things, depending on whether you’re talking about Gender Recognition Act reforms or the 2010 Equality Act.

Here’s a handy explainer thread...https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏻" title="Down pointing backhand index (light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index (light skin tone)">

Currently trans people need to get a panel of strangers who they never meet, to give them an official https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✔️" title="Heavy check mark" aria-label="Emoji: Heavy check mark"> that they’re ‘really trans’ to get a Gender Recognition Certificate.

This is relying on someone else to ‘authorise’ their identity = NOT Self ID

1a/

In the same way it’d be impossible for a panel of strangers to ‘authorise’ if you’re ‘really gay’ or ‘really in love’, it’s similarly impossible to ‘authorise’ if someone’s ‘really trans’

That’s why ‘Self ID’ has been proposed for trans people to get a GRC.

1b/

Allowing trans people to get a GRC using Self ID would not give them any extra privileges or access to gendered spaces than trans people who already have a GRC.

It just means they don’t have to rely on a panel of strangers to ‘authorise’ their gender identity.

1c/

Trans people are protected under the 2010 Equality Act under the clause of ‘gender reassignment’.

Legal protection comes into force the moment someone BEGINS transitioning. Obviously at the beginning, no actual physical or medical interventions will have yet taken place.

2a/

If trans people are legally covered by the EA2010 from the very beginning of their transition, they may not seem physically different, or yet have any documents or official ID reflecting their gender identity.

That’s why the EA2010 uses Self ID.

2b/

The EA2010 allows people who are ‘undergoing gender reassignment’ to Self ID to access spaces and facilities that align with their gender identity.

This has been in place since 2010 without issue.

The EA2010 is NOT up for consultation and is not changing.

2c/

In summary...

The GRA is proposing trans people Self ID to more easily get a GRC - THIS DOES NOT IMPACT ACCESS TO GENDERED SPACES!

The EA2010 ALREADY has Self ID allowing access to gendered spaces. THIS IS NOT CHANGING!

The End.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚠️" title="Warning sign" aria-label="Emoji: Warning sign">WARNING: Anti-trans lobbyists are trying to get the wording “clarified” in the EA2010 as they hate that it currently allows for trans people to Self ID.

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚠️" title="Warning sign" aria-label="Emoji: Warning sign">BEWARE: This is not to be ‘helpful’, but to remove rights from trans people by ‘interpreting’ the Act in their favour!