In a recent interview, Q Manivannan, a Scottish Green MSP, has ignited a contentious discussion about toilet access policies in Scotland. Manivannan, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, has urged Holyrood to reconsider its stance on single-sex spaces following last year’s Supreme Court ruling.
The debate has drawn sharp criticism from opponents, with some labeling Manivannan’s remarks as extremist and legally questionable. However, the MSP maintains that their position is rooted in the experiences of constituents and a commitment to transgender rights.
Manivannan’s Stance on Single-Sex Spaces
Manivannan has highlighted the diverse opinions among their constituents regarding single-sex spaces. They noted that many cisgender women have expressed feeling threatened by men, not by transgender women. ‘I have had constituents writing to me on all sides of the opinion,’ Manivannan stated. ‘But also women, cis women, who have for a very long time said: \”I am not in fact threatened by trans women in my toilets. I am threatened by men and the violence that I face from them.\”‘
The MSP also posed a provocative question, challenging the notion of blanket bans on certain spaces. ‘There are men who are survivors of sexual assault [by men], including friends of mine. In that case, why don’t we ban men from men’s bathroom spaces?’ Manivannan asked, aiming to highlight the inconsistencies in current policies.
Criticism and Backlash
The remarks have not been well-received by all. Marion Calder, co-director of For Women Scotlandcriticized Manivannan’s stance, arguing that it amounts to a breach of the law and workplace regulations. ‘Q Manivannan should stop trying to colonise our spaces,’ Calder stated.
Meghan Gallacherthe Scottish Conservative equalities spokeswoman, labeled the comments as crank and accused the Scottish Greens of undermining women’s rights. ‘These crank comments are further proof that the extremist Greens are determined to break the law and undermine women’s rights,’ Gallacher said.
The Greens’ Defense
Manivannan, who was elected on the Scottish Greens’ regional list for Edinburgh & the Lothians last month, has faced abuse since entering parliament. However, they remain resolute in their beliefs. ‘Not for a moment. If anything, it further reinforced the fact that I should be doing this,’ Manivannan said, referring to the backlash they have received.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Greens defended Manivannan’s remarks, clarifying that the MSP was not proposing a policy to ban men from using men’s bathrooms. Instead, they were using the example to illustrate the problems stemming from blanket bans on such spaces. ‘To any fair-minded person reading or watching the interview, it is clear that Q was clearly not making a policy proposal to ban men from using men’s bathrooms, but instead was using it as an example to illustrate a point relating to problems that stem from blanket bans on such spaces,’ the spokesperson said.
