Writing for the Record, Susan Smith of the For Women Scotland group has expressed her anger over the seemingly relaxed attitude of some politicians towards trans activists.
The dark days of December 2022 will live in the memories of the women who sat in the public gallery of Holyrood as MSPs debated the Gender Recognition Reform Bill. After hours of preening and self-congratulatory speech-making from our elected representatives, the final sickening gut punch came after the vote was declared. Our MSPs, led by the late Christina McKelvie, rose to their feet to applaud the group of scruffy trans activists who lined the front row.
Some of these men had posted abusive messages about women’s rights activists. Despite this, they had enjoyed access to politicians and civil servants that had been denied to campaigners who opposed gender legislation. Some had even been candidates or held positions in political parties like the Scottish Greens. Weeks later, Scottish Lib Dem leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton, who took part in the standing ovation, spoke at a rally, praising one activist.
Praise for Activists with Abusive Histories
“In the really dark times,” he said, pointing to a large figure, “We’d look up and see Beth and people beside her – and it was for Beth and for you guys that we were doing it.” You guys, indeed. Cole-Hamilton was referring to Beth Douglas who, as any of the women sobbing in that gallery could have told him, is the trans-identified man who had trolled ex-MSP Joan McAlpine. He had also posed online with weapons saying: “I heard y’all hate trans women, knives and axes.” When challenged by the BBC, Cole-Hamilton denied prior knowledge of Douglas and his intimidating social media output.
Others basking in the applause of MSPs have spoken of my organisation as child abusers and terrorists. These activists did not hide or post anonymously. Anyone with a functioning internet search engine can find their output. After the Supreme Court ruling, an individual who calls himself “Sophie Molly” told a rally in Dundee that they should “take a sh*** on JK Rowling’s head.” The YouTube film shows, standing behind him in the crowd, listening to his filth, Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman.
Disturbing Symbols at Events
At another event, MPs and MSPs were photographed close to a sign which read “decapitate terfs” with a picture of a guillotine. We are happy to accept they did not condone – or even see – the sign, but “KILL TERF” banners are such a staple at such events that their attendance signals an alarmingly relaxed attitude towards such anti-women messaging.
When lesbian representatives of For Women Scotland and LGB Alliance applied to be members of the LGBTI Cross Party Group (CPG) at Holyrood, they were unanimously rejected. Holyrood, it seemed, is no place for women with impressive CVs and exemplary track records defending women’s and LGB rights. Members did, however, include activists who had attacked us. Some of these progressive, “be kind” souls had shared a cartoon depicting FWS as the Ku Klux Klan. Several MSPs in the CPG were also on the committee with responsibility for scrutinising the Bill.
Exclusion and Unmet Promises
We women knew the odds were against us, but it remains astonishing that veteran campaigners were too dangerous for the CPG but nothing was done to curb the behaviour of approved members. Since FWS won at the Supreme Court in April 2025, First Minister John Swinney has repeatedly promised to meet us – but no invitation has ever arrived. Meanwhile, those who campaign against women’s rights continue to be feted.
The abuse reported in the Record last week is a tiny sample of what we experience. It’s distressing, yes, but not as distressing as knowing that the very men who so abuse us continue to wipe their enormous feet on our parliament’s “Welcome” mat.
