Government is set to scrap plans to allow people to change their legal gender by self-identifying as male or female

‘The UK has always prided itself on being a champion of LGBT equality – if it’s serious about this, it will update the Gender Recognition Act to ensure trans people can enjoy their rights, free from discrimination’ - Chiara Capraro

Responding to reports that the UK Government plans to drop key reforms to the Gender Recognition Act, Chiara Capraro, Amnesty International’s Women’s Rights Programme Director, said:

“Reports that the Government intends to scrap plans to bring gender recognition laws in line with human rights standards are extremely worrying.

“More than two years ago, the Government rightly set out a plan to reform the out-of-date Gender Recognition Act - a U-turn on this would send a chilling message that the UK is a hostile place for trans people.

“Perpetuating wrong stereotypes of trans women as a danger to other women is dehumanising and wrong, and risks further inciting hate crimes against trans people.

“The UK is already slipping further and further down the European rankings for LGBT equality - falling from 3rd to 9th place over the past three years. The proposed move would no doubt see the UK plummet even further.    

“The UK has always prided itself on being a champion of LGBT equality – if it’s serious about this, it will update the Gender Recognition Act to ensure trans people can enjoy their rights, free from discrimination.”