Labour has reiterated its pledge to simplify the process of gender transition, scrapping the need for someone to to prove they have lived in a different gender for two years in favour of a two-year “reflection” period.
The plans would see the need for transgender people to prove they have been living in a different gender in order to obtain a gender recognition certificate (GRC) removed.
A medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria would still be required, but a single specialist doctor would be able to do this rather than the panel of clinicians and lawyers currently needed.
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A Labour spokesperson said: “Labour will modernise, simplify, and reform the intrusive and outdated gender recognition law to a new process.
“We will remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition and acceptance; whilst retaining the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a specialist doctor, enabling access to the healthcare pathway.”
Labour’s plans would see people given a two-year ‘reflection period’ in order to receive a GRC, but that the diagnosis of gender dysphoria would be all that is needed to apply.
Spousal approval and documented proof of living in a different gender would no longer be needed under the proposed reforms.
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However, the Labour spokesperson also said that the party would continue to support single-sex “exceptions”.
They said: “Britain is a reasonable and tolerant society where most people know that there are a small number of individuals who do not identify with the gender that they were born into.
“Labour’s plans will protect single-sex spaces, treat everybody with respect and dignity, maintain the existing two-year timeframe for gender recognition, and ensure that robust provisions are in place to protect legitimate applications.”
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