The verdict on decreasing Trans rights in the Uk was released today. Let me be clear when I explain this is a win - but we still need to keep fighting.
Government responds to Gender Recognition Act consultation today following a petition to not allow reformation to the Gender Recognition Act of 2004. Many of you may have seen this circulate, and without as much public attention and votes it may have been a different verdict.
The verdict from the Uk parliament is that no changes to the law will be made, such as making transition near impossible for under 18s among other things, you can read more here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reform-of-the-gender-recognition-act-2004
This is a win in and of itself, as no negative changes where made, especially considering the current state of the government. However, the process in becoming legally recognised as transgender and having legal documents properly changed with a GCR remains hard and has boundaries in place for those receiving help and those most vulnerable in society.
There have been changes in official application, that are actually a benefit to trans rights, following an inquiry into why 3/5 trans people hadn't even tried to apply for a GRC. The outcome of this discovered that the process was too arduous and required multiple face to face meetings and forms, as well as the fact it cost £140, which many people couldn't afford.
These fees have been dramatically reduced, and now all of the paperwork is online in the Uk government website, however it still requires proof that:
A medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria from an approved medical practitioner;
A medical report from an approved medical professional providing details of any treatment they have had;
Evidence they have lived in their new gender for at least two years;
Agreement from their spouse/civil partner to the marriage/civil partnership;
Make a statutory declaration that they intend to live in the acquired gender until death (making a false statement is a criminal offence).
I am of the firm belief that this can be harmful to trans people and puts them at significant risk in certain environments, such as requiring to have two years of evidence of living as that gender. This also puts unnecessary pressure on trans people who do not necessarily conform to gender roles despite not being their assigned gender.
So, while it has been a win in that no negative change like initially proposed has been made, and there has been a win in the application process. We still need to fight for our transgender siblings. Do not give up now. Public interest and involvement is what got us this far. We still have much more to fight for.
Let me be clear:
We still need to fight for more trans rights. The fight is not over. Do not be complacent.
This is only a mini summary of what I thought the major/most important points where, so if you want to read more:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-responds-to-gender-recognition-act-consultation
Minister for Women and Equalities, Liz Truss, has today [Tuesday 22 September] set out the government’s response to the consultation on the
One more time: KEEP FIGHTING FOR TRANS RIGHTS. DO NOT DERAIL THIS POST. UPLIFT TRANS VOICES.
