New Zealand First has submitted a members’ bill to the Parliamentarian biscuit tin that would define the meaning of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ to mean “an adult human biological male” and a “adult human biological female” respectively within the Legislation Act 2019. The bill has proved to be controversial for the Ōtepoti student body, with multiple student-led clubs rallying together in protest of the possible law change.
Urging students to “stand against transphobia” and “fight against the far right”, the protest is a joint effort between the International Socialist Organisation of Aotearoa (ISO Ōtepoti), Dunedin Pride, Pride in Law Otago, UniQ Otago and the Rainbow Otago Medical Students’ Association. The conglomeration of groups will be meeting at the Octagon on May 3rd at 1pm to “[stand] up against the government’s increasing attacks on our trans community”, according to a post made on ISO Ōtepoti’s Instagram account.
Although the event will take place after the print of this issue, Critic Te Ārohi had a yarn with Oscar Bartle, one of the protest organisers from ISO in anticipation of the event. Oscar told Critic that the groups are “expecting to see a solid show of solidarity” with the trans community, and that they wish to send a clear message to New Zealand First and “other forces of bigotry”. That message is that the student community “will not be divided”, and that the trans community “does not stand alone”. “When trans rights are under attack, the wider community will stand up and fight back,” Oscar said. “They can respect existence or can expect resistance”.
One of the other groups involved, UniQ, also offered their perspective on the bill when approached by Critic. “This bill is taking away the spotlight from more important and real issues like housing, school lunches, public funding, growing economic instability, etc. It's just a show to get votes, distract others, and incite right-wing solidarity through the sacrifice of gender diverse people, so ultimately only causing more harm.”
“Language is visibility,” UniQ continued. “If we are to legally define terms like man and woman by certain biological features, what does that mean for trans people? Intersex people? Even cis people? If a woman is someone with a uterus, what about those who don't have one? Why should the government have the power to decide who I am and categorise me? It's about as ridiculous as mandating a certain music taste or fashion sense.” They went on to say that the bill prescribed only a certain standard of women and men exist in the law. “What is that standard? Well, that's up to Winston, innit.”
The members’ bill is in quick succession to a Supreme Court decision in the United Kingdom, where the terms “woman” and “sex” were held to carry the meaning of “biological women” and “biological sex” under their Equality Act. The decision has proven divisive, sparking similar protests across the United Kingdom.
If the proposed bill is drawn from the ballot box, potential implications for gender diverse students at Otago and those across the nation are unclear. In a statement to Critic, a spokesperson for the University said, “Fostering an inclusive and respectful environment is a fundamental part of who we are.” They assured students that “at this stage, the Bill has not advanced [from the ballot] and faces significant procedural and political hurdles”. Regardless of the bill’s outcome, the University reiterated that it remains committed to “being a safe and supportive place for all members of our community, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.”
In order for the bill to progress further, it needs to be drawn from the ballot of members’ bills in Parliament – and there's usually around 50 in there at any given time. May the odds not be in New Zealand First’s favour, say local protestors. Until then, those in opposition down in Otago will continue to make their dismay at the bill clear.