The Women and Equalities Committee has published a report on the reform of the Gender Recognition Act.
- The MPs said, Transgender people shouldn’t have to live in their acquired gender for two years before they can obtain legal recognition as it entrenches outdated gender stereotypes.”
- A new report from the women and equalities committee calls for the process to “move closer to a system of self-declaration,” which involves strong legal safeguards but not medical scrutiny.
- It said that Trans people should no longer be required to have a gender dysphoria diagnosis. This thing is not needed in order to have their gender legally recognized by a Gender Recognition Certificate. But they should still be required to make a formal statutory declaration. A safeguard that ensures genuine intent and robust guidance is needed on how this would work in practice.
- The committee is calling for the Government Equalities Office and Equality and Human Rights Commission to urgently produce guidance. It is also urging practical examples, on how to apply single-sex exceptions under the Equality Act.
- The report also calls for the removal of the requirement for spousal consent. Even the support for young people seeking to transition especially mental health support.
- The LGB Alliance charity, which seeks to separate advocacy for lesbian, gay, and bisexual rights from that for trans rights, said it was disappointed that the committee had “ignored” its evidence.
Charity trustee Malcolm Clark said, “Self-ID poses a huge threat to LGB rights. As it would undermine the importance in the law of biological sex.”
