Scots pro-trans group launches bizarre defence of ‘men who can BREASTFEED'
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A TRANS lobby group funded by the Scottish Government has been blasted for moaning that the rights of males 'who are able to breastfeed' are at risk after the Supreme Court ruling on gender.
Scottish Trans has raised concerns over the protections available to those who have transitioned seeking pregnancy and maternity support.
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Scottish Trans has complained that the EHRC's consultation threatens the rights of men "who are able to breastfeed"
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The charity's complaints came in a response to watchdog the Equality and Human Rights Commission's consultation on a new code of practice for interpreting the law.
But Susan Smith, from For Women Scotland, blasted the controversial practice of men who have transitioned to women breastfeeding.
The campaigner said: 'Men who do this should be investigated for putting the health of a baby at risk.'
Scottish Trans, part of the Equality Network, has received hundreds of thousands of pounds of Scottish Government funding in the past decade.
The charity said they 'strongly disagree' with EHRC's statement that the explanation of the legal rights and responsibilities set out in the new content defining sex at birth is clear.
It has published a response, complaining that there is 'now significant uncertainty following the ruling on whether trans women who are able to breastfeed can access pregnancy and maternity protection if they experience discrimination.
'We think that if they are unable to access these protections as a result of the ruling, that this is a further significant impact on trans people's equality and protection from discrimination, that the Commission has a statutory duty to highlight.'
The group added: 'In addition, there is now significant uncertainty, following the Supreme Court ruling, on whether trans women who are able to breastfeed can access protection under section 13(6)(a) of the Equality Act if they experience discrimination because of this.
'We think that if they are unable to, as a result of the ruling, that this is a further significant negative impact on trans people's equality and protection from discrimination, that the Commission has a statutory duty to highlight.'
Transgender women claim to be able to breastfeed, a process known as induced lactation, through therapy that mimics the hormonal changes of pregnancy.
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Medications such as estrogen and progesterone are often used to stimulate breast tissue development, followed by a transition to a medication called domperidone and a reduction in estrogen, to trigger milk production.
But activists have voiced safety and nutrition concerns over trans women breastfeeding.
Ms Smith said: 'Scottish Trans didn't seem worried when the Scottish Government lawyers argued that pregnant women who identified as men should lose all legal protection to maternity rights, but they have sprung into action to defend men who want to feed drug-induced discharge to babies.
'Women are routinely told that they should avoid alcohol and medication while breastfeeding, so far from being encouraged and protected, men who do this should be investigated for putting the health of a baby at risk.'
Scottish Tory shadow minister for equalities, Tess White MSP, said: 'This is absolutely ludicrous. The Supreme Court's ruling in April couldn't be clearer; sex is based on biology.
'It's simply a matter of common sense that only women can become pregnant and breastfeed healthy milk to a baby. Health and Safety are paramount.
'It is vital John Swinney and his Ministers ensure that public bodies are upholding the law rather than bowing to irrational gender self-ID zealotry.'
In April, Supreme Court judges clarified that sex in equality law is based on biological sex — not whatever gender a person says they are.
It came after a challenge by feminist group For Women Scotland, who defeated the Scottish Government in court.
SNP ministers had argued that anyone with a gender recognition certificate should be treated as the sex they say they are, for all purposes.
New guidance related to the ruling and how organisations should act is now being drawn up by the EHRC.
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