Gender reform bill should be settled outside of court to prevent costly legal battle
gender recognition reform Bill was passed last year after overwhelming support from MSPs.The legislation, while controversial, had the noble aim of making the lives of trans people better by simplifying the process to change gender.
So the Scottish Government’s decision to challenge the Tory Government’s vetoing of the Bill is understandable.However, Humza Yousaf has gone down a dangerous path by going to court and it is far from clear what the end game will be for his government.
Legitimate concerns were raised during the parliamentary process about bad actors such as sex offenders exploiting the new system for their own criminal ends.The possible negative impact of self-ID was then thrust into the public domain with the case of prisoner Isla Bryson.
So while defending devolution from Tory attacks is a worthwhile cause, the failure to pause the Bill last year was a mistake.A courtroom battle will make for great headlines but it is no substitute for both Governments agreeing an out of court compromise.
