Sylvie62
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Sylvie62
@sylvie-62.bsky.social
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🏳️‍⚧️ she / her. Late to the party
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sylvie-62.bsky.social
With alt text, I hope.
Lord Reed of Allemuir President The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom Parliament Square London SW1P 3BD Old Square Chambers 10-11 Bedford Row London WC1R 4BU Monday 15 September 2025 For Women Scotland Case - Interview of Lord Hodge My Lord I write in a personal capacity and not on behalf of my Chambers or any client. I read with interest the piece which appeared in The Times on Friday 12 September 2025 in which Lord Hodge defends the judgment of the Supreme Court in this case. It is plainly a step forward for openness in the judiciary when a judge takes responsibility for such a judgment which has been viewed with alarm and distress by trans people and their allies. With respect to Nicholas Linklater who interviewed Lord Hodge, who is not a lawyer, the piece leaves far more questions unanswered than it answers. To list just a few: (1) Why did the court restrict itself to saying that 'sex' had to have a single meaning across the whole act rather than withing sections, as the authority they rely on says? (2) If this was a simple exercise of statutory interpretation to divine the will of parliament, why was the obvious source - Hansard - not consulted given that the relevant ministers made clear statements of parliament's intent? (3) Why is it not recognised that the adopted meaning of 'sex' means that no-one can have the protected characteristic of gender reassignment under section 7? (4) Why does the treatment of trans people in sport (section 195) rely on a trans person who has taken a performance enhancing drug? (5) Why was it not recognised that the interveners represented minority views amongst women and LGB people? (6) Why, when considering maternity and paternity rights was it not recognised that the Gender Recognition Act specifically provides that nothing in that act affects these rights? (7) Why was there no Human Rights Act / European Convention on Human Rights / Goodwin analysis given that the importance of this area was recognised in the preamble? The list could go on and on. Building on the precedent now established by the Times article, I would like to interview Lord Hodge on these matters given that he has said it is his position to 'take the flak' for the judgment. I believe that I may be specially placed to conduct such an interview given that I am one of the very few transgender barristers in the UK; that I am a discrimination specialist; and that I write occasionally for the Independent newspaper. That might also serve to give coverage that would be regarded as balanced as The Times has been regarded with considerable suspicion by transgender people for some years now. Indeed, it is a very difference newspaper than the version of it which carried word on my transition in 2011. I can assure you that, as a member of the Bar, any discussion with Lord Hodge and any report of that conversation will be personally respectful but will ask the difficult questions about this judgment. As I have said, I write in a personal capacity and I am conscious of not suggesting that I speak on behalf of any group or organisation. I have, however, made this letter available on social media and it may be that you will receive messages via the Supreme Court general enquiry form if they support the conversation I suggest taking place. Yours faithfully Robin Moira White (Ms)
September 15, 2025 at 11:48 AM
sylvie-62.bsky.social
Sharing this from the BBC as a graphic. So many reasons it applies in the UK. The actual picture now covered up (see skeets by others) and guarded… doubtless to be cleaned off and the BBC report might vanish
Picture by Banksy at Royal Courts of Justice showing a judge bludgeoning a protester with their gavel
September 8, 2025 at 11:46 AM
sylvie-62.bsky.social
I end up with this…. (I think I added alt text as well)
Screen shows result of searching feeds for red pins
May 15, 2025 at 10:54 AM