“This is an historic day for equality”: Scotland finally passes Gender Recognition Reform Bill
The Scottish Parliament has passed the Gender Recognition Reform Bill in a “significant” step forward for trans rights in the country.
MSPs voted by 86 votes to 39 in favour of allowing transgender people to self-identify, meaning trans people will no longer need to be medically diagnosed with gender dysphoria before obtaining a gender recognition certificate (GRC).
The bill also means that trans people no longer need to prove that they’ve lived in their gender identity for two years before gaining recognition, while also dropping the minimum age of applying for the certificate from 18 to 16.
Applicants are now required to make a statutory declaration that they have lived in their gender for just three months – six months for all 16 and 17-year-olds – and that they intend to permanently live in their gender.
