The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) had one job: To protect human rights.
When it comes to trans people they have arguably failed.
On this podcast we go over the history of the EHRC and how it went from being pretty good on trans issues to dancing to the anti-trans tune of the government.
Also: Anti-trans fascist Florida governor has announced his run for the US presidency. Nothing about that was good.
References:
1. Ron DeSantis could be president
The shambolic, terrifying announcement on Twitter Spaces – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMb9q8yjbJU&t=124s
DeSantis’ feud with Disney explained – https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/disney-ron-desantis-feud-explained-1234741949/
Where DeSantis stands on trans issues (NOT GOOD) – https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/17/politics/desantis-signs-anti-trans-bill/index.html
2. The history of the EHRC
2018 response to UK gender recognition act reform consultation – https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/consultation-response-gender-recognition-act-18-october-2018.pdf
2020 statement on gender recognition reform – https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/our-work/blogs/reform-gender-recognition-act
Liz Truss’ priorities for trans people set out in 2020 – https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/minister-for-women-and-equalities-liz-truss-sets-out-priorities-to-women-and-equalities-select-committee
Baroness Kishwer Falkner made chair by Liz Truss in 2020 – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/minister-for-women-and-equalities-selects-new-ehrc-chair
Liz Truss’ “fight for fairness” speech (content warning – it’s fucking aburd) – https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/fight-for-fairness#:~:text=Our%20new%20approach%20to%20equality,people%20across%20our%20United%20Kingdom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Vhrn82QtE
Outgoing EHRC chair claims EHRC has “lost its independence” in 2021 – https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jan/18/ehrc-undermined-pressure-support-no-10-agenda-david-isaac
EHRC intervenes into Maya Forstater’s case, and not in a good way – https://legal.equalityhumanrights.com/en/case/upholding-right-freedom-religion-or-belief
EHRC letter recommending trans people removed from conversion therapy ban – https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/consultation-response-banning-conversion-therapy-26-january-2022.docx
Vice News report: EHRC met with hate groups – https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxdzwn/ehrc-trans-rights-leaked-emails
Vice News Report: EHRC staff quitting over transphobia – https://www.vice.com/en/article/bvnymd/ehrc-staff-quitting-transphobia
Vice News Report: Guidance supporting trans kids scrapped by EHRC after government interference – https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5q8am/ehrc-trans-students-guidance-scrapped
EHRC coming out against Scotland’s GRR bill – https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/gender-recognition-scotland-zahawi-letter-september-2022.do
EHRC non-statutory guidance on how to exclude trans people from single sex spaces – https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/separate-and-single-sex-service-providers-guide-equality-act-sex-and-gender
EHRC’s letter to Kemi Badenoch suggesting they gut the Equality Act of trans protections – https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/our-work/news/clarifying-definition-%E2%80%98sex%E2%80%99-equality-act
Channel 4 News report alleging bullying, harrassment and discrimination at the top of the EHRC – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWvLOXqk9yE&t=44s
Our report on the Channel 4 News report – https://whatthetrans.com/chr-ehrc-report-230523
Daily Mail on House of Lords members complaining about the Channel 4 News report – https://archive.ph/TQ2b4
Huffington post on the views of ofcom’s chair – https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/new-ofcom-chairman-lord-michael-grade-woke-warriors_uk_6245d1b4e4b0587dee66cb87
BBC report on the EHRC investigation being ‘paused’ – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65726279
The man who was/is investigating the EHRC? – https://littletonchambers.com/people/gavin-mansfield-kc/
Gavin Mansfield’s colleagues appointed to the EHRC new panel of counsels – https://littletonchambers.com/katherine-apps-and-laura-mcnair-wilson-appointed-to-the-ehrcs-new-panel-of-counsel/
Government backing Baroness Falkner despite the investigation not being complete – https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/05/27/sunak-badenoch-stand-up-baroness-falkner-civil-servant/
