Now organ donors can avoid question of gender

ORGAN donors no longer have to state whether they are a man or a woman when signing up online.

The Organ Donation Register is one of a number of Whitehall agencies to rethink its approach to transgender issues.

Those filling in the internet form can now choose to be ‘Mx’ rather than or Mr, Ms or Mrs. And they can tick a box saying transgender, other or ‘prefer not to say’ as well as male and female.

The same system will be used for the European Health Insurance Card, which currently guarantees free health care across the European Union.

Under the Equality Act 2010, it is unlawful to discriminate against, or treat unfairly, an individual because they are transgender.

It means a number of government bodies and services have had to reconsider how they ask about information such as gender and title.

However, family campaigner Stephanie DaviesArai said the move was a mistake. ‘It’s ridiculous to take it off forms or make it voluntary. It is basic information,’ she told the Sun on Sunday.

‘If we don’t monitor sexes we can’t look at the differences in health, education and everything.

‘We can’t look at discrimination and inequality. It’s crazy these organisations are terrified about being sued. They’re going way too far.’

Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: ‘Gender should not be optional on the organ donation register. We should not be denying information from the medical profession.

‘Medics will rightly want to know the history of whoever has donated the organ.’

A gender declaration has long been optional for those signing up for a driving licence or as a director with Companies House.

Anthony Clarkson, assistant director of Organ Donation and Transplantation, said: ‘People who join the NHS Organ Donor Register are asked to share information such as gender, ethnicity and religion.

‘This data supports our work to develop a register that reflects the composition of the population. Organs are matched by several factors including size, blood groups and tissue types.’

The Office for National Statistics has announced it is considering making declaring gender optional in the next census.

In the summer, the Government said it was examining plans to make the process of changing legal gender easier.