#and that gender recognition certificates should be freely accesable to anyone with a trusted signature in the manner of passports

[du-hjarta-skulblaka]

Reblogging as my response to your reply was getting a bit dense lol, apologies in advance. I will completely understand if you ignore this it got away from me a bit.

I came across both of the articles you linked. I completely agree that his attitudes and understandings are clearly far from ideal, but it very much comes down to...I guess I'd call it understanding vs intent? I've read a handful of articles wherein he reiterates his belief that trans people deserve to feel safe and respected in hospital environments dating at a similar time to these two; not sure if you've seen that one post going around, talking about how earnest if ignorant support is far more useful and welcoming than perfect language with ulterior motives? Not a perfect comparison, but it's the best way I can describe my feelings here.

Having also had a look at his twitter, he seems to be consistent in voicing support for trans-inclusive policies and in responding with respect to trans commenters. Yes, he's wrong on some very important things, but frankly? I cannot remember the last time I heard anybody in a position of power speak about me like I was a real, living human being. His understanding is outdated, but he is advocating for respect where others are reducing us to predators and statistics.

I actually think he may have the perfect approach; flawed as it is he is presenting ideas that people who are on the fence/do not have a deep knowledge of trans issues can more easily be receptive to. I'm happy to save deconstructing biological sex for a later lecture if I steer people towards actual transgender resources instead of the radfem meatgrinder.

Obviously my opinion isn't going to be the same as every other trans person, but having discussed with a few close to me our consensus is that simply being acknowledged as something other than a threat or a disease is more than any of us were expecting, and that even if you're right and this is all pish, he's still the new head of healthcare publicly saying that trans people have rights. Can you honestly tell me any of us were expecting that today?

All that being said I'm with you on the last part and I'm absolutely not trying to sing the guy's praises. I'm just...really ready for anything close to a win, and the guy gave me a shred of hope for the first time in a while. Thank you for the response and I hope mines comes across in positive spirit its intended in.

Do you have any thoughts on Wes Streeting? Just seen an interview with him discussing trans health care and it's so much more supportive than I ever thought I'd see in recent years.

Wes Streeting is absolutely awful. Genuinely the first time I’ve heard someone say he’s spoken positively about trans healthcare. He’s been a flip-flop mess over it since he was made shadow health secretary.

He also wants to privatise the NHS. I do not trust him at all.