@AlistairMay Who is talking about compelling people? It's physically not possible to do that. This is about being inclusive in places it makes sense to be, like legislation. We know trans people exist, why should they be excluded from legal language to suit an ideology?
@AlistairMay Why is it a contortion? It's simply using language they're comfortable with. It doesn't cost anyone anything. Refusing to do it just seems spiteful. I can't think of any other example where people would think it was acceptable to refuse to use inclusive terminology.
@AlistairMay Trans people don't want an ideological fight. They want to be treated with respect and get on with their lives. That respect is being denied to them by people whose ideology demands that they should be unable to live as they see themselves and instead live as others define them.
@AlistairMay You have the luxury of seeing it as absurd ideology. It's a lived reality for some trans people who face barriers in accessing health care when having children. Inclusive language takes nothing away from mothers.
@AlistairMay Trans people exist, and we either believe it is right to have their identity recognised by the law or we don't. If we do, we should say 'mother and birth parent'. If we don't, why don't we? There are plenty of examples of old laws written in language we wouldn't tolerate today.
@AlistairMay What is subjective about birth parent? 'Friend' is a strawman. No one is suggesting that. We are talking about describing parental leave for ministers. What is factual about calling a trans man mother if neither he, nor his child, uses the term? How does that communicate better?
@AlistairMay Mother or birthing parent would be inclusive without taking anything away from anyone else. There is only one side of this 'debate' seeking to impose language on others. Why would we describe people in law using language they wouldn't use themselves?
@JuliaHB1 Except this is about what will be written in law and some people who are legally male absolutely can give birth. I'm not sure why you would seek to pretend otherwise.
The moral panic is coming full circle. We're now arguing that in order to protect the language of motherhood, it must be forced onto people who are legally male. Where will the madness end? What if all men start calling themselves mothers? https://t.co/oDOEHOpOPz
@gerryhelmet People always say that. I've been campaigning for Labour for 14 years. I've chapped on thousands of doors all over the country, but haven't managed to chap them all.