PFC News Feed

Family Courts and Trans Parents

Angela Clayton — Thu, 18 Dec 2008, 16:51 GMT


Dear Readers,
It has been a concern of ours at PfC for some time now that trans people 
in child custody hearings have not been getting a fair hearing. But the 
secrecy rules have prevented us gathering firm evidence to support this 
contention. In recent months a number of trans people, usually afraid 
that any discussion of their case would result in the loss of the 
limited access rights they have managed to retain, have spoken to us in 
general terms about the horrific treatment they experienced in such courts.
 
PfC have, quietly behind the scenes, been trying to gather evidence and 
make contacts within the family courts to whom we could speak on the 
treatment of trans parents.
 
While this work is in the very early stages, I am pleased to see that at 
least some proposals seem likely to come forward to loosen the secrecy 
surrounding such cases. While we await the details, the proposals, 
summarised in The Times reproduced below, are very welcome indeed.
 
Kindest regards,
 
Angela Clayton
PfC Vice President
 
 From Times Online
December 16, 2008
http://tinyurl.com/528zn7
Family courts to be opened up as Jack Straw announces massive shake-up.
 
Social workers and local authorities who fail in their duties to 
families and children will in future be named under radical reforms to 
open up the family courts.
 
The move, revealed by Jack Straw, Justice Secretary, in an exclusive 
interview with The Times, means that in future when social workers or 
expert witnesses are castigated by judges, they will not have the cover 
of anonymity.
 
It follows a series of articles in The Times stretching back three years 
and highlighting the potential for miscarriages of justice because of 
the secrecy surrounding family court proceedings.
 
Mr Straw spoke to The Times as he was preparing to unveil a far-reaching 
shake-up of the family court system, to make it more transparent.
 
"Local authorities aren't routinely named at the moment. My view is that 
ought to be. There should be no restriction on naming social workers or 
medical experts unless it could lead to the identification of 
[children]," he said.
 
In a second change, Mr Straw announced this afternoon that the media 
will be able to attend family courts and report on cases as long as they 
do not name the parties or give out the kind of personal details which 
allow nosy neighbours to identify them.
 
People involved in family court proceedings will be able to apply for 
specific reporting restrictions, Mr Straw said. But he hopes that judges 
will only rarely accede to such requests. "My hope is that the courts 
are reluctant to grant these," he said.
 
Mr Straw will have the support of the senior judiciary. Sir Mark Potter, 
Britain's most senior family judge, told The Times recently that family 
courts should be opened to the media to dispel the "myths and 
inaccuracies" surrounding the system.
 
The balance had come down "in favour of increased openness by permitting 
the attendance of the media", subject to protecting the anonymity of 
children and, "where appropriate, the parties," Sir Mark said.
 
Mr Straw said that the family courts has been "a closed world". Opening 
it out would provide a chance that standards would rise and "egregious 
practices spotted before they become harmful."
 
Professionals should be prepared to put their reputations on the line in 
public just as a structural engineer at a planning inquiry does. "People 
who are professional have to accept that what goes with being 
professional is the public task," he added
 
In a third move, parents will be able to disclose information about 
their case for the purpose of advice and support. Overall, the Justice 
Secretary believes that the impact of the changes - to take effect from 
April 1 - will be at local level among local newspapers, with the vast 
majority of proceedings still unreported.
 
He paid tribute to The Times for drawing attention to the issue in its 
campaign which "ensured it landed on my desk." He had also been struck 
by the levels of secrecy when visiting a Youth Court, where magistrates 
had a debate about whether to let him in.
 
"I thought they were being ridiculous. Justice has to be seen to be done."
 
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Sky One series Hello Goodbye seeks participants

Stephen Whittle — Fri, 5 Dec 2008, 10:00 GMT


PLEASE RESPOND TO LIZ SMALL and not to PFC
 
From: Linzi Small | Researcher | Hello Goodbye
Lion Television | 26 Paddenswick Road | London | W6 0UB
Tel: 0208 846 2191 | Email: linzi.small@liontv.co.uk
 
Hi,
 
I hope that you don’t mind me contacting you. 
 
I am a researcher for Lion Television working on a new feel-good series based at London Heathrow
Airport called Hello Goodbye for Sky One. The show has a very simple premise telling the stories of
people in the Arrivals and Departures lounges at Heathrow, from the wonderful and uplifting to
unusual and surprising. The show is very honest and very simple, with presenter Kate Thornton meeting
travellers as they come and go through the gates and chatting to them about where their journey has
led/is leading them. 
 
We are looking for moving, emotional stories to cover and would love to be able to include someone
heading to abroad for Sexual Reassignment Surgery and their friends or family waving them off in the
show.  I was very much hoping while we are filming and that you may be able to help me get in touch
with people and their families who would be willing to share their story and be filmed as part of the
series. Whether that be posting a link on the website or even pointing me in the right direction. 
 
Filming isn't intrusive; we will be a very small team and should only take 15 minutes or so.  We are
filming at Heathrow between now and 9th January, the show is due to air on Sky One in mid January in
either the 8pm or 9pm slot. 
 
It would be wonderful to hear as soon as possible if this is something that you might be able to help
me with.  My direct line is 0208 846 2191
 
Many thanks for your help with this, 
Best wishes, 
 
Linzi 
 
Linzi Small | Researcher | Hello Goodbye
Lion Television | 26 Paddenswick Road | London | W6 0UB
Tel: 0208 846 2191 | Email: linzi.small@liontv.co.uk
_________________________________________________________________
 
Posted on behalf of Press for Change http://www.pfc.org.uk by:
 
Stephen Whittle, PhD, MA, LLB, BA
Professor of Equalities Law, The School of Law
Manchester Metropolitan University
All Saints West
Lower Ormond Street
Manchester, M15 6HB
tel: 0161 247 6444, fax: 0161 247 6309
email: s.t.whittle@mmu.ac.uk
President, WPATH, http://www.wpath.org
Vice President, Press for Change,http://www.pfc.org.uk
Chair, Transgender Europe http://www.tgeu.org
 
---- Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail ----
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Paris uis Burning - screening at UCL, London

Stephen Whittle — Thu, 4 Dec 2008, 18:57 GMT


A screening of the film 'Paris Is Burning' will take place on Fri, 5
Dec, at 6pm (Venue: UCL, Malet Place Engineering Building, Room 1.03).
This will be the last session in 'Queering the Film, Filming the Queer'
weekly screenings and discussion.
 
For the UCL Mellon Research Programme, see
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/mellon-program/ 
 
All welcome
With my very best wishes
 
Cuneyt
_______________
Cuneyt Cakirlar
Research Fellow
UCL Mellon Programme
 
University College London
Gower Street London WC1E 6BT
+44 (0) 20 7679 7458
 
Professor Stephen Whittle, OBE, PhD, MA, LLB, BA
Professor of Equalities Law, Manchester Metropolitan University
All Saints West
Lower Ormond Street
Manchester, M15 6HB
-------------------------
 
Vice President , Press for Change, http://www.pfc.org.uk ( http://www.pfc.org.uk/ )
 
President, World Professional Association for Transgender Health, http://www.wpath.org ( 
http://www.wpath.org/ )
 
Exec. Chair, Transgender Europe
http://www.tgeu.org ( http://www.tgeu.org/ )
 
-------------------------------------
 
tel office: +44 (0)161 247 6444; home (9am - 6pm only) +44 (0)161 432 1915; 
e: s.t.whittle@mmu.ac.uk ; stwhittle@btinternet.com
 
"Before acting on this email or opening any attachments you should read the Manchester Metropolitan
University's email disclaimer
available on its website http://www.mmu.ac.uk/emaildisclaimer"
 
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Webcast: The Trans/Feminist Debate Friday 2pm(UK time)

Stephen Whittle — Thu, 4 Dec 2008, 18:43 GMT


The Trans feminist debate between Susan Stryker, currently visiting professor at Harvard University
and Julie Bindel, Guardian
Columnist will be webcast at http://www.streaming.mmu.ac.uk/law/webcast/ tomorrow at 2pm (UK time)
 
Professor Stephen Whittle, OBE, PhD, MA, LLB, BA
Professor of Equalities Law, Manchester Metropolitan University
All Saints West
Lower Ormond Street
Manchester, M15 6HB
-------------------------
 
Vice President , Press for Change, http://www.pfc.org.uk ( http://www.pfc.org.uk/ )
 
President, World Professional Association for Transgender Health, http://www.wpath.org ( 
http://www.wpath.org/ )
 
Exec. Chair, Transgender Europe
http://www.tgeu.org ( http://www.tgeu.org/ )
 
-------------------------------------
 
tel office: +44 (0)161 247 6444; home (9am - 6pm only) +44 (0)161 432 1915; 
e: s.t.whittle@mmu.ac.uk ; stwhittle@btinternet.com
 
"Before acting on this email or opening any attachments you should read the Manchester Metropolitan
University's email disclaimer
available on its website http://www.mmu.ac.uk/emaildisclaimer"
 
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UK: A fond farewell

Tracy Dean — Sun, 30 Nov 2008, 15:23 GMT


Dear Readers
 
Over the last seven years that I’ve been a Vice President of Press For
Change I’ve had the honour and privilege – and usually pleasure – to
represent the trans community in the corridors of power and elsewhere.
 
In that time we’ve made many advances – though none of them without
difficulty nor, I’m afraid, perfectly. There is still much to do but I
have decided that it is time for others to step into the breach and push
for the improvements that are still needed to ‘our lot’.
 
It is time for me to move on from PFC, who I wish every success in the
future, to concentrate on my own campaigning work.
 
As those of you that have been subscribed for some time may realise, my
campaigning interests are not exclusively trans related and I’m also
involved in campaigns against ID Cards and the National Identity
Register and for attempts to ensure that medical records are kept
confidential and not made available to strangers without our consent.
 
But I’m not off to join the French Foreign Legion, I’ll still be working
for the trans community in an independent capacity – after all, I have
24 years of experience working for the community and it would be a waste
to walk away altogether.
 
Finally then, I hope you’ll continue to support PFC and the remaining
VPs – and those that come after me – maybe it’ll be you.
 
This is the last post for me but not for the campaign.
 
Regards
 
Tracy Dean
 
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UK: Memorial Service for Michael Causer - this Saturday

Tracy Dean — Wed, 26 Nov 2008, 14:00 GMT


The Memorial Service for Michael Causer, a young gay man from Merseyside
who died after an allegedly homophobic assault earlier this year, will
take place at 7.30pm this Saturday 29th November at the Anglican
Cathedral, Liverpool.
 
The service will be a celebration of Michael's life and all are welcome,
particularly the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender communities of
Merseyside, to attend to pay their respects. You do not have to have
known Michael personally. What matters is that you care. There's not
even a dress code - Michael's family have said simply, "Come as you
are." Red AIDS ribbons, Michael Causer badges - all are welcome. But
please try to arrive a little before 7.30pm so that we can be seated for
the start of the Service.
 
Michael Causer (1989 - 2008)
Memorial Service
7.30pm, Saturday 29th November
Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool
 
Tell your friends, bring them along, pay your respects
 
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UK: ID card update reveals £30 price, fines for bad data [ITPRO]

Tracy Dean — Fri, 21 Nov 2008, 18:42 GMT


http://www.itpro.co.uk/608535/id-card-update-reveals-30-price-fines-for-bad-data
 
ID card update reveals £30 price, fines for bad data
 
The second round of legislation for the ID card scheme introduces the
price, potential fines, and a new National Identity Scheme commissioner.
 
By Nicole Kobie, 21 Nov 2008 at 14:52
 
ID cards will cost £30 and, once you have one, you’ll be forced to keep
the registry updated on your address and other details, according to a
Home Office briefing attended by IT PRO.
 
The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) has released the details as part
of secondary legislation (
http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/downloads/NIS_Legislation.pdf ), which it
will take consultation on for the next 12 weeks – so if you’re not
happy, drop them a line here
https://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/contact-form.asp
 
The cards will start to be rolled out in 2010 to young people on a
voluntary basis, but the Borders Agency is rolling out its own version
of the cards to foreign nationals starting next Tuesday, as well as to
airside workers at London City and Manchester airports in 2009.
 
If this round of legislation is passed – expected to happen next spring
– the cards will not be compulsory for UK citizens, but will be required
for anyone applying for a passport. The government is also looking to
make the cards a requirement for anyone requiring a criminal record
background check – such as for all airside workers or teachers – and
possibly for those applying for driving licences, though that’s not on
the cards quite yet.
 
Under the proposal, the cards will cost £30 until 2010; the cost after
that is still unknown. They will be valid for 10 years, like passports –
and indeed could be used as a travel document inside the European Union.
 
Unlike passports, however, anyone with an ID card will be required to
update the registry if any of their essential data changes – such as
their address. Failure to do so could lead to a civil fine of up to
£1,000, but the Home Office officials stressed that it was not a
revenue-raising scheme and that anyone who forgets to update their
address after a move, for example, will be simply reminded.
 
Those who refuse to do so face an initial fine of £125 – only reaching
the £1,000 maximum if they continue to refuse to update their details. A
similar system is in place for driving licences, the officials said.
 
Also under the draft, once a card is expired, people will no longer be
expected to update their addresses and other details, the Home Office said.
 
As the cards are rolled out to more people, banks and other private
companies will be able to go online to check a card’s validity, but only
after their systems have been checked and approved by the government.
 
The same goes for public sector organisations. They too must first prove
they have secure – and probably encrypted - systems the officials
stressed, adding that if a government organisation is turned down, the
Home Office will work with them to get their technology up to the
required level.
 
Such groups – both private and public sector – must ask individuals for
their permission before checking the registry. However, the Home Office
and policing bodies will not require such consent when the case is in
the “public interest” – such as crime, immigration and national security.
 
“Police and a number of specified crime prevention organisations may be
able to use information on the register for the purposes of detecting or
preventing crime,” Home Office spokesman San Matthews told IT PRO.
 
"The Identity Cards Act 2006 provides for a small number of
organisations that may request information from your record for a
specific purpose," he added. "These are the security services, the
police, HM Revenue and Customs. In each cast they will be required to
justify why they need the information."
 
That access, and other aspects of the cards, will be under the watch of
a National Identity Scheme commissioner who will report to parliament.
That role is yet to be filled.
 
Click here for pictures of the ID cards
http://www.itpro.co.uk/606516/photos-government-unveils-first-id-cards ,
and click here
http://www.itpro.co.uk/608031/timeline-how-national-id-cards-have-become-a-reality 
 
for a timeline of how the identity cards came to be.
 
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UK: Newlyweds with ID card face £1,000 fine if they do not inform on name changes [Telegraph]

Tracy Dean — Fri, 21 Nov 2008, 18:29 GMT

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3496897/Newlyweds-with-ID-card-face-1000-fine-if-they-do-not-inform-on-name-changes.html
Newlyweds with ID card face £1,000 fine if they do not inform on name
changes
Newlyweds and other ID card holders face fines of up to £1,000 and a
bailiff knocking if they fail to inform the Government of changes such
as names or moving house.
By Tom Whitehead, Home Affairs Editor
Last Updated: 4:20PM GMT 21 Nov 2008
Ministers were also accused of imposing an effective tax on marriage
after it emerged anyone changing their surname will have to buy a new
£30 card.
With changes to their £72 passport as well, it will leave newlyweds with
a £100-plus bill if they want to travel abroad.
Draft legislation on the roll-out of ID cards also revealed people
awaiting a sex change will be able to buy two ID cards - one for each sex.
And the Home Office admitted the £30 fixed fee for the cost of the card
is set only until 2010 but most Britons are not likely to start buying
the cards until 2011 or 2012.
Under the proposals for the controversial scheme, anyone holding an ID
card in the future will be required to notify the National Identity
Register of changes to the personal data it holds.
If they fail to do so, they could face a fine of up to £1,000 if caught
and be required to go and supply their details to an official once again.
Notice of a penalty can even be sent by email or fax and anyone
officially objecting could see their fine rise, the document said.
Because it is a civil penalty, anyone who refuses to pay the fine could
be subject to bailiff action.
Changes in circumstances could be as simple as moving home or changing name.
Shadow Home Secretary, Dominic Grieve, said: "At a time of economic
hardship, the public will be dismayed that the government plans to fine
innocent people for inaccuracies on the government's own database, using
summary powers vested in the Home Secretary."
Fines will also apply if cardholders fail to report their cards lost or
stolen or fail to abide by requirements to resubmit details after an
error has been found.
Critics dismissed the Home Office's claims the fines were " not intended
to be punitive or revenue raising".
Officials stress card holders will usually have the fines waived if they
agree to have their data updated when the errors emerge.
They say the penalties are necessary to ensure the information on the
database remains current.
Civil penalties, starting at £125 for the first infringement of the
rules, will normally only be imposed on those actively refusing to have
their data updated.
But those on benefits will have a £50 discount and anyone objecting to
the fine could have it increased.
There will be criminal offences for providing false information,
tampering with the register, giving out people's data without
authorisation and holding false ID documents.
Homeless people wanting ID cards may be able to give their home address
as a bench, bus stop or park where they are often found.
Addresses will be recorded on the register but will not appear on the
face of the card.
However, anyone changing their name, such as married partners, will have
to buy a new card because the surname appears on the face of the card.
Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "It
is unfair to effectively fine someone for getting married or forgetting
to notify an official that they have moved house. ID cards are going to
be extremely invasive and expensive – a double blow to ordinary people
which we can ill afford. Given the Government's appalling record on IT
projects, there is a strong chance people could be fined due to errors
in the database."
The draft secondary legislation is likely to come before Parliament in
the new year in time for its implementation in autumn next year.
Airport workers at Manchester and London City Airport who have airside
access will be issued with the first cards.
Identity cards for foreign nationals will be issued from next week while
Britons can have them on a voluntary basis from next year.
However, from 2012, anyone applying for or renewing their passport will
have to submit their details to the National Identity Register.
Phil Brown from NO2ID said: “State identity control means telling them
everything there is to know about you, under threat, and pay for the
privilege”.
“This is a wake-up call for anyone who thought this was just a simple card.”
A spokesman for the Identity and Passport Service said: "The National
Identity Scheme will bring real and recognisable benefits for British
citizens by offering a more convenient way of proving identity and help
protect people from identity fraud.
"Civil penalties are not intended to be punitive or revenue raising as
it will be in an individual's best interests for their information to be
accurate."
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UK: LGBT History Month prelaunch [News Release]

Tracy Dean — Fri, 21 Nov 2008, 07:10 GMT


News Release
 
20 Nov 08
 
Education minister announces trans guidance at LGBT History Month prelaunch
 
Baroness Delyth Morgan was the first education minister to address the
prelaunch of LGBT History Month. Over 300 teachers, youth workers,
activists and policymakers attended yesterday's prelaunch, at the
Hackney Free Parochial School in east London.
 
The baroness made a commitment that there should be "no dark corners"
for homophobia and transphobia in schools. She announced that the DCSF
were developing specific guidance on trans issues in schools, and that
teachers would soon be receiving training on LGBT issues.
 
LGBT History Month co chair Sue Sanders was optimistic about support
from the DCSF:
 
"Under the previous minister Kevin Brennan, the DCSF were finally
starting to take LGBT issues seriously. We are delighted that Baroness
Morgan has so quickly shown her willingness to embrace this crucial work."
 
The theme of next February's celebrations will be Education and Young
People, and organisers Schools Out hope the prelaunch will encourage
schools, colleges and youth clubs to put on local events throughout the
month.
 
The LGBT History Month website now offers a toolkit with resources and
guidance to help organisations plan celebrations for February 2009 and a
specific schools toolkit containing assemblies, lesson plans and other
resources.
 
Co chair Tony Fenwick said:
 
"More and more schools are including LGBT History Month in their
calendar of celebrations. We are proud to have inspired some great
initiatives, and delighted that schools want to share their resources on
our website."
 
"Under the forthcoming Equalities Bill, schools are likely to be
required to promote all six equality strands and we have some great
resources to offer the education and youth work communities."
 
Education professionals shared their ideas, tips and experience on
bringing LGBT lives and history into the classroom.  One of the many
highlights of the night was a short video presenting the work of the No
Outsiders Project, which celebrates LGBT families in primary schools
around the country.
 
Sue was moved by the energy and passion of the speakers and performers:
 
    "What a momentous night it was. We can only hope that February 2009
will come to life in schools and youth settings up and down the country.
The resources are there, the legislation is there to say you need to do
it and the skills and enthusiasm are abundant.
 
"In previous years, we have seen some wonderful, innovative projects in
individual schools, and we are keen to spread this good practice far and
wide. We heard evidence tonight, that just one role model can make all
the difference."
 
The evening finished with musical performances by local school students,
including a rock version of You Spin Me Round - which got the audience
dancing!
 
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UK: TUC calls for end to discrimination against transgender people [Press Release]

Tracy Dean — Thu, 20 Nov 2008, 23:59 GMT


date: 18 November 2008
 
embargo: 00.01hrs Thursday 20 November 2008
 
TUC calls for end to discrimination against transgender people
 
The TUC is calling on employers to stop discriminating against
transgender people in the workplace on International Trans Memorial Day
today (Thursday).
 
Violent attacks on people because of their sexuality are well documented
- much less well known are the murderous assaults committed against
transgender people.
 
In September 2008 at least 25 transgender people were murdered across
the world, for no other reason than the fact that they were different.
International Trans Memorial Day will remember trans people across the
world who have been the victims of such crimes, and aims to bring them
to public attention.
 
In Britain the trans community continues to face violent physical
attacks, alongside prejudice and discrimination in communities and at
work.
 
The TUC has worked with transgender union members and with
representatives of the trans community to campaign for Britain's
equality laws to provide comprehensive protection from discrimination
for trans people.
 
Although there have been improvements to the law, there remain gaps and
widespread exemptions that leave trans people without full protection.
 
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Discrimination, hatred and
violence are part of the daily lives of far too many in Britain, and
employers need to make sure all their employees are working in safe
environments free from discrimination.
 
'Unions need to step up campaigning for equality for trans people in the
UK. We will shortly have a new Equality Act and the TUC will be pressing
for complete protection for those people who identify with the opposite
gender to the one that they were born.
 
'The murderous attacks on trans people worldwide - and the assaults we
know take place in Britain - show that this community faces prejudice
and bigotry.
 
'If Britain is to be a truly equal and inclusive society we need to
understand the issues facing trans people, and develop practical steps
to end discrimination in workplaces, and in society at large.'
 
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