Stonewall have condemned the Tory’s intentions as “spiteful”
BY GEORGIA DIMDORE-MILES, IMAGE BY PEXELS
December 2022 the Scottish parliament voted to pass the Gender Recognition Reform Bill 86 votes to 39. The reform signalled a watershed moment for trans rights, allowing trans people to gain gender recognition certificates without medical diagnoses. Now the UK government might be attempting to block the bill.
According to Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, the government worry about the “concerns that many people have regarding certain aspects of this bill, and in particular the safety issues for women and children.”
The reform would mean trans people applying for a gender recognition certificate (GRC) need to declare they have been living as their acquired gender for three months (six if they are 16 or 17), compared to the two years period it had been previously. There will also be a three-month reflection period in place.
People can also now apply for a GRC at 16 instead of 18.
Colin Macfarlane from the LGBTQ charity Stonewall responded to the concerns stating, “for the UK government to seek to block implementation of this Act would be disastrous for trans people, who deserve far better from their government.”
This comes after the UK Government proposed what Stonewall describes as a “spiteful attack” on trans rights, a threat to no longer recognise gender recognition certificates from as many as 14 countries, including Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Stonewall UK are calling for our community and allies to challenge the government and prevent this transphobic legislation. Here is a link to write to your MP today and take part in the treat trans people with respect campaign.
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