The_Spud_Player
29.9K posts
@PlayerSpud
27, he/him, nerd, weeb, sleepy, casual gamer
🚨 NEW A formal legal letter alleging discrimination under the Equality Act was sent to Scope this week on behalf of me and a number of singers. This follows the disability charity’s decision to drop my choir from its official London Marathon cheer team last month - over concerns relating to my gender-critical beliefs. While that decision was later reversed - at 6pm on the evening before the marathon - by that stage much harm had already been caused. And this is not about one choir or one performance. It’s about whether women who hold lawful beliefs about biological sex should be ‘punished’ for expressing them publicly. And whether other people should face discrimination simply for being associated with that woman. Something I believe should concern everyone - whatever their views on this particular topic. I want to make clear that this is not the whole choir bringing the legal challenge. It is myself and a number of singers. The fact I feel the need to spell that out perhaps says something about the upset and division this situation has caused amongst people who simply wanted to sing - and never asked to find themselves caught up in a national news story. While the focus has remained on me - deliberately so - for some singers, even the feeling of being placed in the spotlight has been distressing. And that matters. Particularly because it was, I believe, entirely avoidable on the charity’s part. People should also be able to enjoy their hobbies and friendships - without fear of others bringing politics into non-political communities - and causing unnecessary division and distress. Which I believe is what happened here. Those who decided to join the action did so with considerable thought. One thing I know I considered carefully was the potential impact on an organisation that - if public commentary is anything to go by - has already lost donations due to what many see as a blind spot around the rights of women and girls. But being a not-for-profit organisation does not remove accountability. And as a large disability charity, responsible for thousands of staff and volunteers - and entrusted with millions of pounds a year in public donations - Scope is accountable for the consequences of its decisions, like any other organisation. I personally believe public trust can now only be restored through a clear recognition of the organisation’s obligations under the Equality Act - particularly given Scope works with disabled women and girls, some of the most vulnerable people in society. Legal support has been provided via @FreeSpeechUnion for which we are extremely grateful. Link to story by @Craig_Simpson_ in comments below (gift link) 👇
