Heartfelt message to city’s trans community.
The MP for Milton Keynes Central has today published her thoughts on the recent EHRC (Equality and Human Rights Commission’s) updated services Code of Practice.
Emily Darlington wrote on social media about the draft Code, which was laid in Parliament this week. The Code provides guidance on how the Equality Act 2010 applies to public functions and services to ensure people are not discriminated against in relation to ‘protected characteristics’.
These characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
Parliament now has 40 days to consider the updated Code.
“Tolerance is an important British value. When we make legislation, or write guidance, we should always start by asking ourselves how it will affect those to whom it matters most,” said Emily Darlington on Facebook.
“The EHRC’s Code of Practice falls well short of this. It gives no clarity or certainty to organisations who want to be trans inclusive, and will leave them vulnerable to lawsuits whatever they choose to do. It strikes me that the only people who will win from this Code are lawyers.
“While the Government seems to have pushed back successfully on some of the harmful aspects of previous drafts, I believe there is more that must be done to allow the trans community to go about their lives in peace and safety.
“My heart goes out to the trans community today, who will be feeling scared of what the future might bring.”
She went on to praise the Q:Alliance charity in Milton Keynes and said that she was always contactable via her MP email address.
