A “part-time bearded woman” from Basingstoke has been suspended from the Labour party over a gender identity stunt.
David Lewis, 45, initially had his candidacy for the women-only role of constituency women’s officer in Basingstoke accepted as he ‘self identifies as a woman every Wednesday’.
David spoke exclusively to the Basingstoke Observer on Wednesday May 24 when he was due to have been standing for election to the post if not for his suspension.
David said that identifying as a woman from when he wakes up until when he goes to bed on Wednesdays was “just a statement that was needed” on the form to stand for the position, but added that his status as a woman is genuine during that time.
People wanting their acquired gender to be legally recognised in the UK must apply to the government.
Obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate requires a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria and proof of living with the gender for two years.
David added: “To be able to say with 15 hours a week I’m eligible to run for women’s officer, I don’t think that’s right, but it’s not up to me to say what the correct level is.”
He added: “One of the freedoms we have is that you can identify as a woman and live your life however that statement applies to you.
“Whether it’s one day, a few days, or every day of the week, or whether that’s a change of name or a change of clothes, it’s a personal statement that you make for how you will feel most happiest living your life.
“It’s a belief that I am free to hold, and nobody is in a position to criticise or question whether that’s true or not.
“The disagreement that I have with the policy that Labour put in place was to say that that personal statement had any kind of legal ramification or recognition to it.”
David’s actions have been condemned as anti-trans, while others have threatened to resign their membership to the Labour Party over the issue.
“There were a number of people resigning before as women haven’t been happy about this rule for quite a while,” David added.
“It’s a shame that it’s taken a part-time bearded woman to make people sit up and take notice when Labour should have been listening to these women’s valid concerns and consulting with them rather than handing down edicts from on high.”
Basingstoke MP Maria Miller chairs the cross-party Women and Equalities Committee and actively campaigns for changes to the Gender Recognition Act to reduce barriers for trans people.
She slammed current laws requiring a diagnosis with a mental health condition as “similar to the way gay people were treated in the UK more than 30 years ago”.
“I believe Basingstoke is an open and fair community that prides itself on welcoming everyone,” she said.
“Nationally, the evidence is clear that trans people still endure hostility, discrimination and higher levels of sexual attack than any other group.”
The reason given for David’s suspension from Labour was for subverting the intention of all women shortlists and the party’s selection procedures.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The Labour Party is committed to upholding the principle of affirmative action for women.
“Anyone attempting to breach Labour Party rules and subvert the intention of all women shortlists, women’s officers or minimum quotas for women will be dealt with via our established safeguards, selection procedures and disciplinary measures.”
David said he will remain a Labour supporter and hopes his actions will lead to a “polite, respectful and evidence based debate” about gender recognition.
3 Comments
Danielle Cooper
Where in the world has Maria Miller got the idea that trans people suffer the highest rates of sexual attack than any other group!?
Anonymous
Well done for raising this difficult issue. There are proposed changes to legislation that mean men can “identify” as women with out any surgical procedure. A lot of people don’t know this is happening so really important to make sure it is debated thoroughly.
Leigh
Figures show that transwomen (that is males who identify as women) are no more likely to be attacked than anyone else. Maria Miller’s inquiry didn’t even hear verbal evidence from a single women’s group, only trans lobby groups.