Justine Greening’s sexuality brought into Tory infighting over ‘gender change’ policy
A LEADING Tory activist has said “it’s a possibility” that Government plans to make it easier to change gender have been influenced by Education Secretary Justine Greening’s sexuality.
Tory activist has said 'it’s a possibility' Tory policy has been influenced by Greening’s sexuality
Mary Douglas, a spokeswoman for the Grassroots Conservatives campaign group, criticised the proposals and said many who wanted to go through the process were “troubled” and suffering from “other mental health conditions”.
James Chapman, former chief of staff to Brexit Secretary David Davis, wrote on Twitter that Mrs Douglas’s comments were “disgraceful” for calling into question Ms Greening’s motives for updating the legislation.
Ms Greening, who is also Women and Equalities Minister, has said transgender people will be able to chose their legal sex more easily as part of planned reforms.
It’s a possibility, but I’m not going to suggest anything I don’t know. The issue here is not who is introducing or considering introducing, but the implications of the policy itself
On BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, host Nick Robinson said Ms Greening had come out as gay last year.
He asked Ms Douglas if she thought Ms Greening’s personal experience was having an impact on Government policy.
Mrs Douglas replied: “It’s a possibility, but I’m not going to suggest anything I don’t know.
The issue here is not who is introducing or considering introducing, but the implications of the policy itself.”
Ms Greening is also the Women and Equalities Minister
Mrs Douglas speaks on family, religion and public life for Grassroots Conservatives, which is not affiliated to the party but draws most of its supporters from Conservative members.
Mr Chapman tweeted: “Disgraceful stuff from Mary Douglas impugning Justine Greening’s motives for overdue reform of gender assignment law.”