GENDER RECOGNITION ACT REFORM – A LACK OF PROGRESS.

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Conference
2019 National LGBT+ Conference
Date
25 July 2019
Decision
Carried

Conference notes that the consultation by the Westminster government on reform of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) 2004 closed on the 19th October 2018. Since the closure of the consultation, there has been little sign of specific proposals to reform the GRA.

Conference further notes that in the LGBT Action Plan: Annual progress report 2018 to 2019, presented to Parliament by the Minister for Women and Equalities in July 2019, the Minister stated that the Government would respond to the consultation shortly, with no timetable indicated for such a response.

Conference notes that the Scottish Government also held a 16-week public consultation in 2018 on reforming the GRA. The Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People gave a statement on Gender Recognition to The Scottish Parliament on the 20th June 2019.

Conference notes with concern the statement that the Scottish Government will not be introducing legislation to the Scottish Parliament immediately. Whilst the same statement also contained a commitment to introduce a draft Gender Recognition (Scotland) Bill, there is to be further consultation on provisions to be contained in the Bill.

Conference further notes that the Scottish Government will not be extending legal gender recognition to non-binary people.

Conference therefore instructs the National LGBT+ Committee to:

1)Continue to support advances in transgender equality, remain at the forefront of this vital area of work, and continue work to dispel myths and challenge bigotry;

2. Monitor the actions taken by both the UK and Scottish governments in reforms to the GRA, and respond to any further consultations;

3. Continue to work with appropriate bodies and partners, such as the Scottish Trans Alliance, to further transgender equality in the United Kingdom and the devolved nations;

4. Update our factsheets and bargaining guides to reflect changes arising from the consultations and associated Parliamentary bills and acts.