Boris Johnson ‘betraying’ trans people by scrapping plans to make changing gender easier

Plans for updated Gender Recognition Act brought in under Theresa May scrapped

70 per cent of people who filled in the Gender Recognition Act consultation were in favour of trans people being able to self-declare their gender (Getty/iStock)

The government has been accused of “betraying” transgender people after scrapping plans to make it easier for a person to legally change their gender.

Measures drawn up under Theresa May’s government would have streamlined the legal process of changing a birth certificate by removing barriers like a medical diagnosis requirement and lengthy evidence procedure.

It would have also given recognition to non-binary people who do not identify as any gender.

Consultation on the updated Gender Recognition Act closed in 2018 but the government has since dragged its feet on implementing it following a backlash from opponents.

Liberal Democrat MP and leadership candidate Layla Moran said trans people faced “untold discrimination and harassment” and that shelving the reforms would prolong the suffering of many.

Labour’s shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said it was wrong to announce changes to an “extremely sensitive” policy area by leaking them to a newspaper. The report of the policy change appeared in The Sunday Times at the weekend.

“What I think we need to look at in this space is what trans people actually think and say to us,” the shadow home secretary said.

“I think trans right are human rights, I’ve said that before, and I think we need to listen very carefully going forward in what is an extremely sensitive area.

“I’m not sure the government scrapping plans and leaking it out in a newspaper is the way to deal with this: I think we need a much better way going forward that’s sensitive, that seeks consensus, and respects everybody’s rights.”

Ms Moran said: “Trans rights are human rights. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. End of.

“The trans community face untold discrimination and harassment. I and the Liberal Democrats stand in solidarity with them and tirelessly campaign for equal rights for all.

“Shelving these reforms means their suffering continues. Rather than pushing this retrograde policy through a series of leaks, something that has been done for the last year, Liz Truss should come to the House of Commons tomorrow, explain her policy and let it be scrutinised properly.

“The government is about to betray a group to people they promised to help and support without justification.”

Liberal Democrat Equalities spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “With trans people continuing to face discrimination, harassment, and experience lower wellbeing, shelving reform of the Gender Recognition Act will continue the suffering of far too many across the UK.

“It is time the government stopped preventing trans people from living freely, and ensured that their rights and dignity were respected.”

Nancy Kelley, chief executive at LGBT rights organisation Stonewall said: “The report in today’s newspapers, that the government looks set to drop plans to make it more straightforward for trans people to get legal recognition of their gender, is extremely disappointing if accurate.”

“These reforms would have made many trans people’s lives much easier, as we know from the changes already made in Ireland five years ago. The majority of the public responses to the consultation on reforming the Gender Recognition Act supported these changes.

“This is another blow to our community during a difficult time. Trans people face a huge amount of abuse in their daily lives, just for being themselves. Across issues like access to healthcare, fair treatment in the justice system and the ability to have their voices and stories heard in public life, trans people experience profound inequalities.

“We will carry on, working with trans led and trans-inclusive organisations, to fight for trans people to be able to live their lives with dignity and respect, and for acceptance without exception for us all.”