Scottish National Party to reform gender recognition law

Scotland’s LGBTI equality groups the Equality Network and Scottish Transgender Alliance welcome commitments made today by the SNP on LGBTI equality.

First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon today made five pledges, three of which relate to the welfare of young lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people. The other two are to reform gender recognition law and to train all police on the investigation of hate crime.

Tim Hopkins, Director of the Equality Network, said: “We welcome these commitments from the SNP, which address some key concerns of LGBTI people, and we hope that the other parties will make strong pledges on LGBTI equality.”

The commitment to reform gender recognition law is the key aim of the Equality Network and Scottish Transgender Alliance’s Equal Recognition Campaign.

James Morton, manager of the Scottish Transgender Alliance, added: “We are very pleased to see the SNP pledge to reform gender recognition law for all trans people, in line with international best practice. That would mean enabling people to change the gender on their birth certificate without intrusive medical diagnosis, recognising trans people as the experts on their own identities. It would allow young people to legally change their gender, with parents’ support if under 16. It would also mean the law recognising that some people have a non-binary gender, that is, they are neither men nor women. We hope that the other parties will match this commitment and we look forward to working on this with whoever forms the next Scottish Government.”

Nathan Gale, of Non-Binary Scotland, added: “By making a commitment to reform gender recognition law the Scottish Government is ensuring that all trans people, no-matter what their gender identity, will be able to be themselves, in all aspects of their lives. Trans people who don’t identify as men or women have just as much right to have the gender they identify as recognised and respected as everyone else. I hope that the next Scottish Government will truly aspire to international best practice and provide for a third gender, alongside male and female, to be recognised in Scottish law.”

To read the The Equality Network and Scottish Transgender Alliance manifesto for the 2016 elections, click here:

To read a briefing for the Equal Recognition campaign to reform gender recognition law, click here: