MP calls for ‘year of progress’ in transgender equality laws

Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley has called for 2017 to be a “year of progress” for transgender equality in the UK.

Speaking in a House of Commons debate, the SNP Spokesperson for Women, Children and Equalities argued that laws must catch up to the needs of the trans community.

Ms Crawley said: “When the existing legislation was brought in, the UK was a world leader in rights for transgender people.

“The Gender Recognition Act 2004 allowed people to legally change their gender, and the Equality Act 2010 made it against the law to discriminate against a trans person.

“However, the Women and Equalities Committee heard these pieces of legislation are outdated – the Equality Act uses confusing and constricting language that can be misinterpreted, and the Gender Recognition Act has too much emphasis on taking a medicalised approach.

“Because these laws are outdated, the UK now lags behind more progressive countries including Scotland and Ireland.

“I urge the UK Government to listen to LGBTI equality organisations and reform these laws so all trans and non-binary people in the UK are fully able to access their human right to legal gender recognition, and are fully protected by anti-discrimination provisions.”

The Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Women and Equalities, Caroline Dinenage, said: “The Prime Minister has made it clear that the government’s mission is to make Britain a country that works for everyone.

“We want a society where everyone has a fair chance to go as far as their talent and their hard work will allow. That, of course, includes members of the trans population.

“We want them to be safe, healthy and free from discrimination, and we want a Britain that works for trans citizens.”

Because laws are outdated, the UK lags behind more progressive countries, including Scotland and Ireland Angela Crawley MP