Iss primogeniture innit
Hoo-boy. Talk about having it both ways. Guy claims to be a trans woman BUT don’t go thinking he doesn’t get to inherit that title. No no. There’s a “loophole” you see.
The House of Lords could shortly welcome its first trans peer and only female hereditary member.
Why only female? You know why. That stuff is reserved for men. “Hereditary”=in the male line.
Matilda Simon was this week given permission to contest the next by-election for one of the upper chamber’s remaining 92 hereditary seats.
If she wins, she will doubtless become the envy of peers’ daughters across the country, because the vast majority of titles may only be passed to a male heir.
However, because of a legal loophole, the candidate, born Matthew Simon in 1955, has inherited and retains the Barony of Wythenshawe, despite being in all other legal respects a woman.
A “legal loophole” aka having it both ways. When property or a title or other valuable privilege is involved, suddenly the actual sex becomes real again – just for a second, while official check his papers – and then reverts when no one is looking.
The Gender Recognition Act 2014 includes a provision stating that a person changing gender “does not affect the descent of any peerage or dignity or title of honour”.
When it really counts, suddenly the pretend gender is swept aside. When it’s just trivia, like women’s rights and opportunities and safety, it’s Holy Writ.
“Matilda” Simon has an older sister. It’s still “Matilda” who gets to inherit the title.
The House of Lords told The Telegraph that Lady Simon may have to petition the Queen to change the form of address to avoid being referred to formally as “Lord Simon”.
However, an independent expert said this may be unnecessary, pointing out that members would naturally refer to the potential member as “Lady” as a matter of courtesy.
Head he wins, tails women lose.
Don’t call it a loophole though. It’s not! It’s a considered exception! Nothing loopholish about it.
Tut, tut, Torygraph. It’s the Gender Recognition Act 2004, not 2014.
Doubly infuriating, because I’ve read that it doesn’t work the other way around.* If Tillie’s older sister declares herself a man, she can’t claim the title.
In some mysterious way people like Matilda still get stuff denied to Older-Sibling-With-a-Uterus. Weird, that.
* (I’ll look for back-up in a bit. Currently groping through brain fog. )
I seem to remember being told, at great length and volume, that trans people mustn’t be reminded of their pre-transition sex as this could be triggering for them, inducing anxiety, depression and possible suicidal ideation. Funny how it doesn’t seem to apply to the privileges of that sex though.
Hmm
Lois McMaster Bujold wrote the novel “A Civil Campaign” (c 1999) in which a major subplot involves an inheritance which goes down the male line & a woman goes off planet to get an operation to make her eligible for the inheritance by making her a him. The operation includes cloning the relevant genitals using a Y chromosome from the recently deceased brother. (She liked the brother & *strongly* disliked the male cousin who would otherwise inherit.)
I have a feeling you’ve written about this before, Ophelia (some time ago) but I’m far too tired to go looking for it.