Scotland Just Made It Easier for People to Change Their Legal Gender
Making it the first nation in the U.K. to simplify the process of transitioning.
Scotland just became the first nation in the U.K. to make the process of transitioning a whole lot easier.
The nation recently approved a self-identification system for those who wish to change their legal gender, also lowering the age that people can apply for a gender recognition certificate from 18 to 16. The change also means that those wishing to transition will no longer need a medical diagnosis for gender dysphoria.
The proposal was backed 86 to 39 in a vote at the Scottish Parliament this week, despite many protestors in the public gallery rallying against the decision. According to BBC, the U.K. government has concerns about the legislation, with the potential for it to be prevented from becoming law.
People living in Scotland have been able to change their legal gender since 2005, however, the Scottish government believes that the current process can put people off from applying for the official Gender Recognition Certificate. As a result, the decision to simplify the process means that applicants only have to have lived in their gender for three months as opposed to two years, or six months, if they’re aged between 16 and 17.
There’s also set to be a three-month “reflection period” introduced, meaning that people can change their minds if they wish to do so. It’ll also be possible to de-transition, by going through the same process again. The new rules are set to come into force at some point in 2023.
Speaking about the vote, Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said that “Trans rights are not in competition with women’s rights, and as so often before, we can improve things for everyone when those discriminated against act as allies, not opponents.” First Minister Nicola Sturgeon added that she would “never apologise for trying to spread equality, not reduce it, in our country.”
