Gender agenda

Sally Gordon-walker (Letters, 13 November) makes several errors I would like to address. The Scottish Government is consulting on the process of gender recognition. This does not require hormones, surgery or medical intervention of any kind – it is a paper-based process to recognise the gender in which an individual is already living. The preferred proposal within the consultation is for children and young people under 16 to be able to change their gender paperwork with parental consent. This could improve their wellbeing and provide more options for parents who want to make decisions in the best interest of their child.

There is evidence to suggest not allowing a young person to identify as their true gender is damaging to their health and wellbeing and can put them at increased risk of suicide. I work with young people who would benefit from these proposals and know of many parents that want to see a change.

CARA SPENCE Kings Road, Edinburgh