Scottish Government gender recognition reform bill clears first hurdle despite SNP rebellion
seven chose to rebel and oppose it, while another two abstained.Ash Regan, community safety minister, had earlier chosen to resign from the Scottish Government rather than support the legislation.The gender reforms were previously shelved by the government in the face of opposition from some senior SNP politicians and JK Rowling.
They were revived after the SNP's election win in May last year.The Scottish Government plans will simplify and speed up the existing process by which people can obtain a gender recognition certificate - the legal recognition of a trans person's "acquired" gender.At present, people must apply to a UK gender recognition panel and typically must present a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.SNP and Green ministers have argued the current process is too difficult and invasive, and causes distress to an already marginalised and vulnerable minority group.Its proposal would see applications handled by the Registrar General for Scotland, rather than the UK panel.No diagnosis or medical reports would be required.Maggie Chapman, Scottish Greens equalities spokeswoman, said: "This is a crucial step for equality and I am delighted that we have taken a big leap towards delivering it."Trans rights are human rights and I am proud that our parliament has voted to put Scotland at the forefront of equality in the UK. "This Bill has been targeted by a disgraceful tsunami of disinformation and scaremongering, and a heart-breaking moral panic that has been manufactured and disseminated by a small but vocal number of people."Self-identification is a crucial reform.
