UCU: Composite: Cass Report

Motion

Motion text: Congress notes:
1. The publication of the Cass Report on 10th April 2024
2. Its serious methodological flaws (e.g. exclusion of trans-specific knowledge or experience, no definition of anti-trans prejudice)
3. Its selective use of evidence and promotion of unevidenced claims (artificially high evidential standards, claims about brain development and that social media can cause gender dysphoria)
4. Its disregard for Gillick Competence and the Equality Act (2010)
5. Emphasis that it’s protecting trans people from toxicity of debate around trans issues, while adopting harmful gender-perspectives in its recommendations.
Congress believes:
a. The Cass Report provides no evidence for the ‘new approach’ it recommends
b. It falls short of the standard of rigorous and ethical research expected of research professionals
c. Its assertion that people under 25 cannot consent to gender-affirming care endangers access to other (including reproductive) healthcare
Congress resolves to:
i. Commit to working with trans-led organisations to resist the Cass Report recommendations
ii. Pressure UK governments for an approach to trans healthcare that affirms and centres trans people

Proposing body: Composite (Women members' standing committee (WMSC), LGBT+ Members’ Standing Committee LGBT+MSC)