Note from Lynne Jones MP

Following discussion at the last meeting of the Forum in November 2000 on how to make progress following the Working Group Report, it was decided that people should be encouraged to contact their MPs.

When writing to your MP you might like to ask:

1. if they would obtain a copy of the Report for you (that way they are more likely to look at it) and also request that they comment on the summary and conclusions.
   
2. if they would write to Mike O’Brien at the Home Office (the Minister responsible for this area of policy) to welcome the Report and press for the drafting of legislation. It is best to do this via your MP, if you write directly, you will only get a reply from a civil servant rather than a Minister.

Minutes of the meeting of 16 November 2000

1. Oxford Text Book of Psychiatry
   
   There was some discussion around the inaccurate and quite unpleasant information about transsexualism in the Oxford Text Book of Psychiatry. A member of the forum had drafted a letter to them for discussion. The Forum will write to request an inspection copy to check what the OTBP is currently saying. It was mentioned that this raised larger issues about the pathologisation of Transsexualism. It was decided that it would be helpful to organise a delegation to the president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
   
2. Health Authorities Update

Press For Change are still working on draft guidelines for Health Authorities (including a cost-benefit analysis of treatment/non-treatment, the final document to go via Lynne Jones to the Minister, to be forwarded to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

A member of the Forum has drafted a letter to Charing Cross re provision of care for TS people. After discussion it was decided that it would be a good idea to write to all units who offer this service as the Forum has received evidence in the past that there are disparities in the services provided.

It was mentioned that NW Lancs didn’t tell PFC about their policy.

It was also reported that Cambridgeshire’s policy is also of concern however there have been improvements in Sheffield where they are treating 20 people per year (compared to their previous record of one a year).

Charing Cross have recently re-opened their list for surgery.

3. Transsexual Prisoners Update

Discussed case of one prisoner. She has received some very unpleasant press coverage since her surgery. Lynne Jones MP has taken this up on her behalf with the Press Complaints Commission on the basis that the paper concerned was discriminating against a minority group. Discussed possibility of the prisoner taking legal action against the press. It was agreed that it would be better to rely on the complaint to the PCC.

It was agreed that the decision on which establishment a prisoner should go to post-surgery should be decided on a case by case basis.

The third draft of the Guidelines for TS prisoners from the Home Office has still not been published. Note: Since the Forum, Lynne Jones MP has received a letter from Paul Boateng MP, Minister of State at the Home Office, which does not give any time-frame for the completion of the guidelines but confirms a more progressive approach is now being taken to transsexual prisoners’ needs.

4. Death Certificates Update
   
   It was reported that there has been progress on the production of a best practice guideline for registrars and others working in the area of bereavement, to encourage a unified and dignified approach to TS people who are deceased or reporting the death of a relative.
   
5. Legal Update
   
   Liz Bellinger Case
   
   Unfortunately, Liz Bellinger recently lost her case and Justice Johnson found that her marriage was not valid in law. A request for leave for appeal was lodged today. It was noted that the Judge had added himself to the list of judges who have not overturned the Corbett v Corbett judgement despite the fact that Liz’ relationship with her partner had been accepted by the local authority Social Services department who gave her parental rights.
   
   Lynne Jones MP commented that we are not going to get very far until we have a change in the law – we need Parliament to change the law –a higher court ruling (unless on a human rights basis) relied on current law.
   
   
6. Liaison with Church of England
   
   Members of the Forum are continuing to liaise with influential members of the Church of England.
   
   On the issue of marriage for TS people, Valerie Davey MP commented that the Bishop of Bristol was very supportive.

 

7. Interdepartmental Working Group Report

Members of the Forum made the point that we should not argue about the contents of the Report as a whole which was generally on the right track but use it as a tool to press for action.

Two major problems with the Report were highlighted. First, that divorce shouldn’t be required in order for someone to be recognised in their correct gender. Second, was a requirement to be sterile before recognition of the correct sex.

There was a discussion on how to make progress following the Working Group Report. There was a discussion about ways of raising the profile of the Report amongst MPs. It was decided that people should be encouraged to contact their MPs. There was some discussion re pros and cons of a postcard campaign and it was decided it would be good for relatives or friends of TS people but it would be important for TS people to maintain more personal relationships with their MPs.

Evan Harris MP raised the issue of party policy and raised question of engaging Tories to seek their support. The Forum will be making contacts in this regard.

Evan Harris MP also mentioned that people should write to potential candidates in the run up to the General Election.

NUS and other unions could be tapped into letter writing campaign

 

8. AOB