Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 12 March 2025
12 Mar 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Single-sex Spaces (Public Sector)
I will approach today’s debate with a clear statement of fact at the outset. As our amendment states, the Scottish Government stands firmly behind the Equality Act 2010.
I take the opportunity at the outset of the debate to say that we all have a duty and responsibility in relation to the language that we use and the conduct that we display today—and, indeed, on all days. Public discussions on equality issues can be polarised and can sometimes include misconceptions. We should be mindful of the negative impact that polarised and sometimes inaccurate public discussion can have on the groups and individuals who are impacted by what we will speak about today. As an example, in 2023, during a state visit to the United Kingdom, the United Nations-appointed independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity commented:
“Abusive rhetoric by politicians, the media and social commentators has trickled down to create a culture of increasingly abusive and hateful speech against LGBT persons in the United Kingdom.”
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Liam McArthur)
LD
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16755, in the name of Russell Findlay, on protecting single-sex spaces in the public sector. I invite mem...
Russell Findlay (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
On the cusp of Christmas 2022, Parliament sat into the early hours of the morning as MSPs debated the Scottish National Party’s Gender Recognition Reform (Sc...
Lorna Slater (Lothian) (Green)
Green
Does the member recognise that it was Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May who sought to reform the Gender Recognition Act 2004 because she wanted trans p...
Russell Findlay
Con
That was a bold attempt, but this legislation was a completely different thing. The bill was about the removal of women’s rights. It is no wonder that women...
Lorna Slater
Green
Will the member take an intervention on that point?
Russell Findlay
Con
I am sorry, but I am going to make some headway. I will come back to the member on that. This insidious campaign has been waged for more than a decade, and ...
Mercedes Villalba (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Russell Findlay
Con
I do not think that I have much time in hand.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
There is not an awful lot, no.
Russell Findlay
Con
I will come back to the member if there is time towards the end. Children who are experiencing the normal challenges of growing up are being told by adults ...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab)
Lab
Oh, come on. That is so pathetic.
Russell Findlay
Con
No—I know, and they know, that every single bit of information was right in front of them. Interruption. All the warnings were writ large, and all the warnin...
Mercedes Villalba
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Russell Findlay
Con
I will if we have time. Presiding Officer, is there time in hand?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
There is very little time in hand, but I can give you some of the time back.
Mercedes Villalba
Lab
Can the member point to any evidence of harm to others arising from granting transgender people access to single-sex spaces that align with their gender? Do ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Speak through the chair, please.
Russell Findlay
Con
I have 11 minutes for this entire speech, but I could spend 11 minutes providing details of evidence. Interruption. I find it extraordinary that the member w...
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice (Shirley-Anne Somerville)
SNP
I will approach today’s debate with a clear statement of fact at the outset. As our amendment states, the Scottish Government stands firmly behind the Equali...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
The Scottish Government has always sought to debate this topic with sensitivity and compassion based on evidence and the rule of law. That is how ministers w...
Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (LD)
LD
Does the cabinet secretary recognise that the Equality Act 2010 came from a recognition that vast swathes of minorities in our communities were facing violat...
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
Alex Cole-Hamilton is right to point to the basis of the legislation, the reasons why it was introduced and why it remains just as important now as it was at...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
The supporting transgender young people in schools guidance for schools provides non-statutory legislative policy and practical guidance for schools on the m...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP)
SNP
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
The behaviour in Scottish schools research for 2023 identified concerns among school staff about increasing experiences of misogyny in schools. That is why, ...
Stephen Kerr (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Deputy Presiding Officer. A number of members have tried to intervene. I am seeking your clarification that it would be in order in a d...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
Mr Kerr, you will know by now that that is not a point of order and that it is entirely at the discretion of the person speaking whether they take an interve...
Shirley-Anne Somerville
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer. The delivery of the equally safe fund supports the work of the equally safe strategy, which underpins Scotland’s approach to p...