Polite Terf

@RosieDuffield1 said: “This bill sounds as though it seeks to outlaw the vile practice of conversion therapy, something that’s already illegal. “However, a confused child who may want to explore their thoughts on gender, needs adult support, guidance and advice before reaching any lifelong decisions at an age recognisably well-below adult cognitive maturity.” “This is normal, and as children are not adults, serious parental or professional advice must never be made illegal.”

One Labour MP “It’s crackers and is quickly turning into a complete fiasco.” Another back-bench Labour MP said: “We know there’s a long history of gay men and lesbians being bullied and worse just because of the way that they are... But “bundling in gender identity” was not the solution.

@gstringermp said he would vote against the bill “It’s a completely inappropriate thing for the state to be doing.” “I will listen to the debate. From what I know now, I will vote against it. It seems like a huge intrusion into family life. It seems to be an attack on parents.” “The consequences of breaching the proposals in the bill are ridiculously punitive”

@GlindonMary “The expert evidence has been clear: the drafting of this bill could result in parents, faith leaders, teachers and counsellors being unfairly restricted or even punished for raising concerns or questions about a young person’s decision to ‘transition’.” “This would undermine important findings from the Cass Report, which recommends taking a ‘cautious approach’ in light of various unknown consequences and potential harms of interventions like puberty blockers or chest binders”.

@steveyemm said: “I support banning abusive and coercive conversion practices, but we must ensure that parents, teachers and clinicians can have open and honest conversations with young people questioning their gender, without fear of criminalisation.” “Biological sex matters, and legitimate gender-critical beliefs must remain protected. I welcome the parliamentary scrutiny of the draft bill and hope it will address these concerns.” “I remain sceptical but I have an open mind and would be willing to support legislation that protects people from genuine abuse while safeguarding freedom of belief and appropriate clinical care.”

Baroness @HayteratLords said “Whilst no-one supports any mental or physical abuse on a child or young person exploring their sexuality, a bill which could criminalise parents, siblings, therapists or churches for normal discussions and guidance would be dangerous and undesirable. “There may never be an actual prosecution, but the threat of that or even reporting to the police would have a chilling effect on the most ordinary or loving conversations.”

@ToniaAntoniazzi said the draconian legislation would have a chilling effect on parents who wanted to give children loving advice. “I would urge the Prime Minister to step in and scrap this bill.” “If parents are criminalised and families divided, it is mothers who will be affected.”

Last month @PreetKGillMP told The Telegraph that she had “serious concerns”. “As the Cass Review advised, parents and guardians must have freedom to take a cautious approach when navigating sensitive topics with their children. The evidence shows that devices such as chest-binders or puberty blockers can cause long-term bodily damage”. “But by criminalising words that amount to ‘economic’ and ‘emotional pressure’, the bill could undermine this advice from Cass, and ensnare parents who simply want to properly examine the risks involved with early ‘transition’, and where appropriate, advise against rushing into the use of such serious interventions.”. “It would be wrong if a bill created to protect vulnerable people would overreach into potentially causing unnecessary censorship of important and loving conversations within families.”