Alliance MLA warns TUV man on his transgender language

Transcript

00:00What gaps do you think exist when it comes to gender reassignment and does the Commission

00:05recognise the conflict between the rights of a woman and a biological man claiming or

00:11thinking that he is a woman?

00:14Do you believe as a Equality Commission...

00:17Can you watch your language please, thank you.

00:20Do you believe a biological man should have access to female only spaces?

00:28This is a very fast moving area where there are different pieces of evidence and information

00:34coming to light.

00:36But can I say that in Northern Ireland we are very welcome of the fact that those who

00:41represent various groups, trans people etc, the likes of the Rainbow Project, are working

00:49very closely with women's groups to make sure that the rights of women and those who are

00:57transitioning are protected and respected.

01:00They have an exceptionally good working relationship with each other, they have respect for each

01:06other, something that is not always guaranteed and assured across other jurisdictions, but

01:12I think they are both to be congratulated on how they are working together.

01:16And I would like to see that relationship that they have protected and not disadvantaged

01:22in any way, or demeaned in any way, to allow them to work through the issues.

01:28That they can come to a sensible solution whilst protecting the rights of women and

01:33others.

01:34There are spaces within society that are women only, and should be women only, they very

01:42much will do in terms of very specific circumstances.

01:47But as I said, it's a fluid area, we have a lot of work as a Commission to do in this

01:51field, as has wider society in terms of understanding the needs of all of these people.

01:56But at this moment in time, we as a Commission are very grateful to the open and respectful

02:02discourse that's taken place between all of the women's groups and those lobbyists

02:07acting on behalf of those who are transitioning from one gender to another.

02:13Moving on to 1.10.

02:14Is this your last question?

02:17My last series of questions, it says built into this one, so I'll be as quick as I can.

02:21Make it quick please, thank you.

02:22Absolutely.