Government plans to make it easier to ‘change sex’ are “complex” and “divisive”, the minister championing them has admitted privately.
Equalities Minister Justine Greening had proposed changing the law to allow people to legally change sex by self-declaration – without needing medical approval or a waiting period.
The plans are being strongly opposed, particularly by those concerned for the privacy and safety of women and girls.
Delay
Greening said in July that the Government would consult in the autumn on controversial changes to the Gender Recognition Act.
The Sunday Times reports that the consultation has been delayed while responses to the Equalities Office’s LGBT survey are assessed.
The survey, which closed in October 2017, was conducted by the Government to learn about the experiences of LGBT and intersex individuals.
Privacy
David Davies MP, one of a cross-party group opposing the changes, said: “Given the delay to this and the fact that many LGBT campaigners are opposed to this, I would urge the government to think again.”
He added that it is important that women’s rights are not trampled on “to allow those who are effectively cross-dressers to enter places, such as changing rooms, hospital wards and prisons, where women would expect privacy”.
James Caspian, a psychotherapist who specialises in transgender issues, said the Government “did not realise what they were letting themselves in for because it is so complex”.
Caspian made headlines recently after Bath Spa University refused to allow him to conduct research into transsexuals who revert to their birth sex. The university’s ethics sub-committee raised concerns at the ‘politically incorrect’ research.
‘Wrong-headed’
The Christian Institute’s Deputy Director for Communications Ciarán Kelly said: “This is more than ‘divisive’, it is dangerous – especially for women.
“The whole notion of gender self-declaration is wrong-headed. The Government needs to wake up and drop these plans altogether.
“Biological sex cannot be redefined at will.”