Equality and diversity news from last week – survey reveals low uptake of paternity leave, Stephen Lawrence’s brother complains about stop and search, and complaints about allegedly transphobic articles published by prominent columnists.
A survey conducted by Opinion Matters has revealed that 40% of fathers choose not take paternity leave. The poll indicateshat the low uptake of paternity leave is due to the social stigma against dads who work part-time and that those who do go part-time worry that it will damage their career prospects and finances. By 2015, the government plans to give fathers the right to extend paternity leave for the majority of the first year of a baby’s life, should they chose to stay at home while the mother returns to work.
Stephen Lawrence’s brother has complained to the Metropolitan Police claiming officers stopped and searched him because he is black. Stuart Lawrence’s lawyer said the complaint related to an incident on 16 November but the teacher had faced harassment for years. A statement released by the Metropolitan Police said, “Mr Lawrence’s complaint…is a very serious matter and it will be investigated thoroughly and speedily.”
The Guardian columnist Suzanne Moore, and her colleague Julie Burchill, have come under attack for what many are calling a vitriolic attack on trans people. In her original article about female anger, Moore wrote, “We [women] are angry with ourselves for not being happier, not being loved properly and not having the ideal body shape – that of a Brazilian transsexual.” Many took offence to her use of the phrase ‘Brazillian transsexual’, especially because Brazil has a poor record on transphobic hate crime.
An article by Julie Burchill was subsequently published defending Suzanne Moore. The article uses language generally considered to be offensive and transphobic. The Observer has received many complaints and the article is currently the subject of an inquiry by the readers’ editor.
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