Gender policy 'damage' must be assessed, says Welsh MP

A Welsh MP has called for a cross-government assessment of the "damage" caused by the adoption of gender ideology by some public bodies.

Tonia Antoniazzi claimed that the Welsh government and some other institutions had previously been "captured" by LGBT charities promoting the idea that sex can be changed.

Her remarks come after a Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.

The Welsh government said it was "carefully considering" the court's decision.

The Labour MP for Gower said that while she was "really pleased" that the ruling had provided "clarity" about the entitlement to sex-based rights, unpicking the "damage" of previous policies would be a "challenge".

Speaking to BBC Wales, she said: "There has to be an assessment of... how bad it is.

"That will only be done by getting people around the table, cross-department, cross-government, working with the devolved nations and working out what the picture is across the United Kingdom."

In October 2021, a BBC investigation found that the Welsh government had adopted Stonewall's interpretation of equality law in some of its policies, offering protections not provided for in law.

The BBC asked the Welsh government for a response to Ms Antoniazzi's latest comments in light of the Supreme Court ruling.

The Welsh government said: "We are carefully considering the Supreme Court's ruling and its implications for Wales, and will look to assess if we need to revise our guidance."

Tonia Antoniazzi also accused two LGBT charities, Stonewall and Mermaids, of having previously sold a "lie" to children and young people that they can change their sex.

She has called on the UK government to provide help and support to deal with the "damage" that she said both charities have done to a "generation of trans and questioning children".

The MP said the charities had "socially transitioned a great number of children" who had "lived their lives believing they have changed sex but they haven't and they never will be able to".

"That's the damage they have done because they have sold them a lie," she said.

Antoniazzi also suggested that public bodies and governments should not be purchasing services from either of the two charities, including training courses and material.

Stonewall said it was reviewing its policies and guidance following the Supreme Court ruling and was awaiting any updates to statutory guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The charity added: "Stonewall's guidance has always reflected the law - we regularly review our guidance and work with legal experts to ensure that it reflects the latest legal developments. We will continue to do so."

A spokesperson for Mermaids said the charity "offers support to trans, non-binary and gender diverse young people under 20, their loved ones, and allies of trans children and young people. We do not offer advice of any kind, including medical advice.

"We are here to help people explore what is going on in their lives, how they are feeling, and what might work best for them. We can't, and don't, direct anyone toward a particular decision or path.

"'Social transitioning' can include changing your name and pronouns, updating your wardrobe, experimenting with different hairstyles or beauty products that better align with how you want to express your gender.

"These are things that anyone can do, regardless of gender. Everyone deserves to express themselves freely, including in how they present themselves."

Antoniazzi also told BBC Wales that she agreed with the Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson that trans women should use toilets according to their biological sex.

She said: "They have a right to be in the men's toilets. They have a right to be safe.

"Gender non-conformity is something we've been used to for years. There is no harm. They should be protected and no abuse should be tolerated at all.

"Everybody should feel safe in the toilets that they use."