The Proposed LGBTQ+ Action Plan

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:29 pm on 5 July 2022.

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Photo of Laura Anne Jones Laura Anne Jones Conservative 2:29, 5 July 2022

First Minister, two weeks ago, the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership gave an update of your Government's LGBTQ+ action plan. Now, this is obviously a delicate subject, and I believe we all want to see rights for trans people extended, but, essentially, not at the expense of women and girls' rights, and it's absolutely vital that we get this right. However, given the Welsh Government's determination to prioritise inclusion above all else, above the safety and dignity of women and girls and above fairness and opportunity, it is, in my opinion, not the right approach and will result in us seeing many detrimental effects for half the population in Wales if we are to go on this blinkered path that this Government is set on.

It is very concerning that some of these new rights will be at the expense of women. As I've said before in this Chamber, First Minister, this isn't about being anti-trans; it is about protecting women. [Interruption.] It's about protecting women and girls. Sadly, the Deputy Minister and this Government appear unwilling to speak to Merched Cymru, to LGB Alliance Cymru, to Women’s Rights Network Wales or to Labour Women's Declaration Cymru. This Government has also ignored offers from Fair Play for Women, Lesbian Labour, Transgender Trend, the Society for Evidence Based Gender Medicine, Thoughtful Therapists, LGB Alliance, Safe Schools Alliance UK and many more individuals. Your Government and Ministers seem to only want to listen to one certain ideological viewpoint and to ignore the rest, and this isn't right. There are valid concerns—