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Q: Is it right for trans women to be able to compete in women’s sports?
Starmer says that should be a matter for the sporting authorities.
I spent a lot of my working life dealing with violence against women and girls first-hand, and I know from that experience, just how important it is to fight for women and fight for equality.
We have had legislation in this country which makes it clear that in some circumstances, particularly at the moment under the law when you’ve gone through a process, you can be recognised in the gender of your choosing, that’s been the position for over a decade now …
But I equally – I want to be really clear about this – I am an advocate of safe spaces for women.
I don’t think that discussing this issue in this way helps anyone in the long run.
What I want to see is a reform of the law as it is, but I am also an advocate of safe spaces for women and I want to have a discussion that is … anybody who genuinely wants to find a way through this, I want to discuss that with, and I do find that too many people – in my view – retreat or hold a position of which is intolerant of others.
Of course there are circumstances and anybody who insults family members excites something quite emotional in all of us.
But, on the other hand, to go up and hit someone in that way is wrong, I’m afraid. It was the wrong thing to do.