MSPS hear evidence on gender reforms

MSPS will today begin hearings on the Bill intended to deliver the Scottish Government’s controversial gender reform plans.

Holyrood’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee will take evidence from the Scottish Trans Alliance, LGBT Youth Scotland, Stonewall Scotland and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The oral evidence session is part of the Stage One consideration of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which is aimed at simplifying and speeding up the process of changing gender in the eyes of the law.

The legislation will remove the current requirement for a medical diagnosis, cut the minimum time for acquiring a gender recognition certificate (GRC) from two years to six months, and lower the age for obtaining a GRC from 18 to 16.

SNP and Green ministers say the changes will not dilute women’s rights and will not end single-sex spaces and services, such as domestic violence refuges.

However, opponents fear the Bill will erode women’s rights and make it easier for sexual predators to abuse others.

Policy analysts Murrayblackburnmackenzie said the Bill was “full of holes”.

Policy analyst Lisa Mackenzie said: “There is very little evidence to suggest the Scottish Government has engaged in any meaningful way with concerns about the potential impact of reforms on women’s sex-based rights and protections.

“The draft legislation remains full of holes and there are countless unanswered questions on many different aspects of the bill. It now falls to MSPS to pick up the pieces and to compensate for a poor policy development process.”

Nicola Sturgeon has said the Bill will help transgender people and criticism of it, even if sincere, is “not valid”.