Calling a biological man who identifies as a woman a “man” is more than politically incorrect across the pond – it can be a crime. A mother in the United Kingdom found this out the hard way after referring to transgender woman as a man, and mentioning his “former identity”. The mention was in an online forum discussing transgender men and women.
Kate Scottow, 38, of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, was arrested and taken to jail after the person in question complained to the police about the “mis-gendering”. Scottow was taken into custody in front of her children (ages 10 and 1) and held for 7 hours in jail. One of the children has autism and the other is nursing; both were separated from their parent and primary caregiver during this time.
At the police station, Scottow was fingerprinted and forced to give a DNA sample before being released. The police also retained her smart phone and personal laptop. She is currently studying for a Masters Degree in Forensic Psychology, but has had no access to these items since her arrest on December 1, 2018.
Three police officers arrived to arrest the mother of two at her home, and brought her to the police station. She was also given a court order that bans her from calling the person who accused her a man.
“I was arrested in my home by three officers, with my autistic ten-year-old daughter and breastfed 20-month-old son present,” the mother recalled. “I was then detained for seven hours in a cell with no sanitary products (which I said I needed) before being interviewed then later released under investigation … I was arrested for harassment and malicious communications because I called someone out and misgendered them on Twitter.”
The arrest came after a complaint by transgender activist Stephanie Hayden, who complained about Scottow. According to the arresting police department, Scottow was arrested because “We take all reports of malicious communication seriously.”
This is not the first time Stephanie has used the police to enforce his gender preference. Last year, writer Graham Linehan was issued a warning after calling Hayden by his original name, which is male and using male pronouns to describe him on Twitter. The West Yorkshire Police issued a warning for verbal harassment after Hayden complained.
According to CBN News, another woman, 74-year-old Margaret Nelson also received a warning from the UK police after suggesting that the UK Gender Recognition Act should only apply to those who have surgical gender changes, not just stated ones.
Residents in the UK do not have the right to free speech; activist Hayden uses this to “her” advantage, tweeting in response to those suggesting that the police were being used to push a political agenda: “There is no right to free speech in the UK. We have a right of freedom of expression and that is qualified. We also have criminal laws protecting people from harassment. Now go and jog on.”
Scottow is back at home with her children, but wary of further problems with the law.
~ Patriotic Freedom Fighter
