Transgender Europe (TGEU) welcomes the clear call for trans equality from the UK House of Commons Women and Equality Committee [1]. The Committee has published a comprehensive report on Trans Equality, which calls on the Government to draw up a new strategy for Transgender Equality [2], and to update the Gender Recognition Act, so that it no longer pathologises trans identities [3].
TGEU’s Executive Director Julia Ehrt comments “The UK has been a leader in equality but has fallen back on the rights of trans people in recent years. This report is much overdue and we welcome its ambition and careful consideration.”
On the new strategy Ehrt added “We urge Prime Minister Cameron to give his full support to a new Trans Equality Strategy as a matter of urgency. This is not only about equality for trans people, but a fairer and more just society for all. And Justice cannot wait.”
Richard Köhler, Senior Policy Officer at TGEU said “Trans people have been listened to carefully for this report. Its recommendations have the potential to improve trans people’s lives considerably. In particular, we are pleased to see that concerns of persons with non-binary or non-gendered identities, and trans people in detention have been addressed.”
The “Transgender Equality” report was published this morning, and has been published after consultation with trans organisations, campaigners, and others; evidence was collected from over 250 submissions, and five sessions with Government Ministers [4]. The report covers a multitude of issues, including gender recognition and equality legislation, health services, transphobia and hate crime, and prisons.
ENDS
###
Notes:
[1] The report can be read here: http://transinquiry.co.uk/report
[2] http://transinquiry.co.uk/report Report Section 2, Paragraph 26 “Within the next six months, the Government must agree a new strategy which it can deliver, with full cross-departmental support.”
[3] http://transinquiry.co.uk/report Report Section 3, Paragraph 45 “Within the current Parliament, the Government must bring forward proposals to update the Gender Recognition Act, in line with the principles of gender self-declaration that have been developed in other jurisdictions. In place of the present medicalised, quasi-judicial application process, an administrative process must be developed, centred on the wishes of the individual applicant, rather than on intensive analysis by doctors and lawyers.”
[4] http://transinquiry.co.uk/report Section 1, Paragraph 14.