Tweaks, among others, replaced the word “gender” with “sex” regarding a victim’s rights to choose their forensic examiner – the amendment was seen by some lawmakers and activists as signalling the deep hostility felt towards trans folk, acting almost as a proxy for the Gender Recognition Act debates.
It passed with 113 votes in favour and just nine opposed and a single MSP abstained. The Scottish Greens, in line with the party’s support for trans rights, were told to oppose, Wightman said.
Wightman, a high-profile land reform campaigner, admitted that he only voted to strike down the amendment due to a threat of “complaints and disciplinary action leading to possible suspension, deselection or expulsion”.