THE Scottish Greens have expelled 13 members for signing a declaration which said “sex is a biological reality” and called for trans women to be banned from women’s changing rooms.
The party said those who signed the Scottish Green Women’s Declaration were in breach of the party’s code of conduct.
The declaration states: “Sex should not be confused with gender. Sex is a biological reality and is both the site of and the excuse for women’s oppression.”
It also said that women had the right to “female-only spaces such as changing rooms, hospital wards, sanitary and sleeping accommodation, refuges, hostels and prisons”.
It added: “Women have the right to refuse consent to males being in these female-only spaces or males delivering intimate services to females such as washing, dressing or counselling.”
Signatories also claimed there was a “chilling atmosphere of censure and fear within the party, which affects not only free speech but also free thought”.
They said: “Women’s rights, based on the reality of biological sex, have been eroded within the [Scottish Green Party], as elsewhere in society.
“We believe the consequences of this are extremely damaging for women and girls, especially lesbians, mothers and those who are disabled.”
Holyrood Magazine, which first revealed the expulsions, said complainants included the former co-conveners of LGBTQI+ group the Rainbow Greens and a co-convener of its Women’s Network.
They had reportedly accused signatories of failing to “maintain political discipline” and breaking rules on “behaviours that constitute prejudice based on sexual orientation or gender identity” and “behaviours that constitute a threat to others”.
One signatory, David Jardine, is said to have been involved with the Greens since 1983. The 72-year-old, who rejects allegations of transphobia, told Holyrood Magazine: “It’s quite clear that the party didn’t read the declaration very carefully or closely.
“All that it did was assert the right of women to advocate for a series of eight believes that they had.
“It wasn’t a demand that the party overturn policy, merely that people be allowed to speak without being harassed and pressurised.
“Some of the women who signed the declaration did so anonymously. Some were members who didn’t want to face a disciplinary, others were worried about their safety or their work.”
A Scottish Greens spokesperson said: “We can confirm disciplinary action was taken against 13 individuals over a breach of our membership policy, which has resulted in their immediate expulsion from the party.
“The welfare of all our members is our primary concern. The [Conduct and Complaints Committee] process found that the members were in breach of our code of conduct.
“Next month is Pride month and we hope this decisive action will send a clear message that we stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community now and forever.”
