It’s a story that makes a lot of noise in Scotland: that of a rapist who has decided to become a woman. The court has just sentenced her to an eight-year prison term.
Adam Graham commits two rapes, in 2016 and 2019. He is arrested and imprisoned, pending trial. He decided to change sex, he becomes Isla Bryson. The Scottish authorities therefore decided to incarcerate her in Cornton Vale, in a prison for women.
Immediately, her story became a subject of lively political debate, and many voices protested against the endangerment of other prisoners in the presence of this rapist. Less than three days later, Bryson was transferred to a men’s facility at the direct order of the Scottish government. Bryson began transitioning two years ago and is taking hormone therapy to support it. She wants to undergo surgery as soon as possible to complete her transformation.
The affair contributed to the downfall of the Scottish Prime Minister
This story came as Nicola Sturgeon passed a gender change recognition law. This text planned to authorize the choice of one’s gender from the age of 16, without medical advice. A law wanted by the Scottish National Party, the SNP, in power in Edinburgh. But in London, the Conservatives, in the majority in Parliament, opposed it. On the rights of transgender people, the two political parties have completely opposite convictions.
And the Bryson case came into the debate, which made Sturgeon’s position inaudible. The bill was blocked, and regulations were changed for the incarceration of transgender people in Scotland. From now on, they will be imprisoned according to their gender at birth.
It is in this context that Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation in mid-February. There are many reasons for this departure, but this debate clearly affected her and weakened her position. Moreover, on this subject, the candidates for his succession continue to oppose.