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'{{Short description|none}} {{Use British English|date=March 2019}}{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}{{Transgender sidebar}} {{LGBT rights in the United Kingdom sidebar|gender identity}} '''Transgender rights in the United Kingdom''' have varied significantly over time, with the [[British people|British]] [[transgender]] community facing ongoing challenges not experienced by [[cisgender]] Britons. These include various laws and public attitudes in regards to identity documents, as well as anti-discrimination measures used by or pertaining to transgender people, in the areas of employment, education, housing and social services, amongst others. Trans people have been able to change their passports and driving licences to indicate their preferred binary gender since at least 1970. Transgender people were, prior to the ruling in ''[[Corbett v Corbett]]'', able to have their [[birth certificate]] informally amended to reflect their gender identity. The ruling prevented the amendment of the sex marker on birth certificates for other than clerical errors. The 2002 ''[[Goodwin v United Kingdom]]'' ruling by the [[European Court of Human Rights]] resulted in parliament passing the [[Gender Recognition Act of 2004]] to allow people to apply to change their [[legal gender]], through application to a [[tribunal]] called the [[Gender Recognition Panel]]. The application requires the submission of medical evidence and a statutory declaration. The tribunal is made up of medical and legal members appointed by the [[Lord Chancellor]]. Anti-discrimination measures protecting transgender people have existed in the UK since 1999, and were strengthened in the 2000s to include anti-harassment wording. Later in 2010, gender reassignment was included as a protected characteristic in the [[Equality Act 2010|Equality Act]]. With the [[Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013|2013 introduction of same-sex marriage]], it became possible for a spouse to legally change their gender without requiring a divorce in the UK, with the exception of Northern Ireland, where this became an option nearly a decade later on 13 January 2020. {{LGBT rights}} ==Medical classification== In December 2002, the Lord Chancellor's office published the ''Government Policy Concerning Transsexual People'' document that categorically states that transsexualism "is not a mental illness", but rather a "widely recognised medical condition" characterised by an "overpowering sense of different gender identity".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/transsex/policy.htm | title = Government Policy concerning Transsexual People | work = People's rights / Transsexual people | publisher = U.K. Department for Constitutional Affairs | year = 2003 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080511211217/http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/transsex/policy.htm | archive-date = 11 May 2008 }}</ref> == Medical treatment for minors == {{Main|Bell v Tavistock}} {{Further|NHS Gender Identity Development Service}} In December 2020, the High Court ruled that children under 16 could not consent to [[puberty blocker]]s, with NHS England consequently stating that any requirement for puberty blockers would have to be brought through a court order before treatment. On 29 January 2021, the High Court's order was stayed, pending appeal before March 2022; {{as of|April 2019|lc=y}}, however, no minors were being referred for puberty blockers or hormone treatment on the NHS.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mulliner|first=Annabel|date=10 February 2021|title=How are trans rights being threatened in the UK?|url=https://nouse.co.uk/2021/02/10/how-are-trans-rights-being-threatened-in-the-uk|access-date=24 April 2021|website=nouse.co.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Parsons|first=Vic|date=2 December 2020|title=Trans kids will not be referred for puberty blockers following High Court ruling, UK's only youth gender clinic confirms|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/02/puberty-blockers-tavistock-portman-referrals-gids-high-court-ruling-keira-bell/|access-date=24 April 2021|website=PinkNews|language=en-GB}}</ref> {{As of|February 2021}}, it had not been made clear how a court order could be brought in order for a minor to access puberty blockers, and no court orders had yet been issued, with waiting lists for hormone treatment for adults on the NHS heavily exceeding targets of 18 weeks to first appointment.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Savage|first=Rachel|date=15 February 2021|title=British children in limbo over gender therapy after court ruling|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-lgbt-health-feature-trfn-idUSKBN2AF1SL|access-date=24 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NHS maximum waiting time standards|url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8846/|access-date= 13 October 2021|website=House of Commons Library}}</ref> In April 2022, [[Secretary of State for Health and Social Care]] [[Sajid Javid]] announced an inquiry into gender treatment for children, following concerns raised in the interim report of the [[Cass Review]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smyth |first=Chris |date=22 April 2022 |title=Sajid Javid inquiry into gender treatment for children |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sajid-javid-inquiry-into-gender-treatment-for-children-wc3r3d9sn |access-date=24 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Milton |first=Josh |title=Tory health minister Sajid Javid 'to launch urgent inquiry into child gender treatment' |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/04/23/sajid-javid-trans-children-nhs/ |publisher=PinkNews |date=23 April 2022 |access-date=24 April 2022 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423185420/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/04/23/sajid-javid-trans-children-nhs/ |archive-date=23 April 2022 }}</ref> In June 2022, [[The Times]] reported Javid announcing a proposed change in UK medical privacy law, allowing the state to gain access to and scrutinise the medical records of all minors treated for gender dysphoria within the preceding decade, estimated at 9000 people. The Times reported Javid having "likened political sensitivities over gender dysphoria to officials’ fear of being labelled racist if they investigated abuse by men of Pakistani heritage in [[Rotherham]]".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cedc8a46-f7e3-11ec-84c1-32e852e780b0?shareToken=17d2a0ff2cb98e3376d0791ddb726bb4 |title=Gender change data to be scrutinised|website=[[The Times]] }}</ref> In July 2022, it was announced that the NHS would close its only youth gender identity clinic, with the intent of transitioning to a more regional system of care access.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62335665.amp |title= NHS to close Tavistock child gender identity clinic|date= 28 July 2022}}</ref> NHS draft guidance obtained by Reuters indicates that, in response to a three year wait time for access to gender affirming care causing people to seek private-sector or unprescribed solutions, the NHS is considering banning private care providers from prescribing gender affirming care, and mandating that the authorities be notified if a patient is found to be using unprescribed hormone medication. Furthermore under the guidance, if an NHS doctor determines a patient shouldn’t be allowed access to gender affirming hormone therapy, they can advise the patient’s primary care provider to initiate “safeguarding protocols”.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/exclusive-nhs-drafts-stricter-oversight-trans-youth-care-2022-10-14/ |last1=Rigby |first1=Jennifer |title= Exclusive: NHS drafts stricter oversight of trans youth care}}</ref> ==Sports== In September 2021, the UK Sports Council Equality Group issued new guidance saying that in their view, trans inclusion and “competitive fairness” cannot coexist in sports. The SCEG based its guidance on 300 interviews regarding personal opinions on the matter, conducted across 54 sports and 175 organisations, with only 20 of those interviewed being trans people. <ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/10/01/trans-sport-guidance-uk-backlash/ |title= Glaring holes emerge in new UK trans sports guidance as athletes fear for their future |last1=Powys Maurice |first1=Emma|date= October 2021 }}</ref> In June 2022, conservative UK culture secretary [[Nadine Dorries]] met with the heads of UK sporting bodies and told them that "elite and competitive women's sport must be reserved for people born of the female sex".<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/62349297.amp |title= RFL and RFU ban transgender women from competing in female-only forms of their games|date= 29 July 2022}}</ref> In July 2022, the British Triathlon issued a blanket policy banning any athletes not assigned female at birth above the age of 12 from competing, instead requiring them to compete in a newly announced “open” category. This was a reversal of an earlier 2018 policy which allowed for trans inclusion once certain hormonal prerequisites had been met.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/07/06/british-triathlon-open-category-trans-non-binary/ |title= British Triathlon bans trans athletes from women's competitions and announces 'open' category |last1=Baska |first1=Maggie|date= 6 July 2022 }}</ref> British Triathlon Chief Executive Andy Salmon was reported as stating that he wasn’t “aware” of any elite-level trans athletes competing in triathlons in Britain, but didn’t want the governing body to wait for “that to be a problem” before it “tried to fix it”. <ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/07/06/british-triathlon-open-category-trans-non-binary/ |title= British Triathlon bans trans athletes from women's competitions and announces 'open' category |last1=Baska |first1=Maggie|date= 6 July 2022 }}</ref> Later that same month, both the [[Rugby Football League]] and the [[Rugby Football Union]] implemented similar bans. Both organisations described this as “a precautionary approach”. <ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/62349297.amp |title= RFL and RFU ban transgender women from competing in female-only forms of their games|date= 29 July 2022}}</ref> ==Transgender prisoners' rights== {{See also|LGBT people in prison|Prisoners' rights}} In August 2022, a statement was issued by the [[Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Justice]] under [[Dominic Raab]], that trans prisoners would be sent to prisons based on their genitalia.<ref>{{cite news |last= Wakefield |first= Lily |date= 7 August 2022 |title= Justice secretary Dominic Raab to 'house trans prisoners based on genitals' |url= https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/08/07/trans-prisoners-womens-prison-dominic-raab/ |work= PinkNews |access-date= 10 August 2022}}</ref> ==Gender recognition== {{More information|Gender Recognition Act 2004|Gender Recognition Panel}} The [[Gender Recognition Act 2004]] was drafted in response to court rulings from the [[European Court of Human Rights]]. On 11 July 2002, in ''[[Goodwin & I v United Kingdom]]'', ({{aka}} ''[[Christine Goodwin]] & I v United Kingdom'' [2002] 2 FCR 577), the European Court of Human Rights ruled that rights to privacy and family life were being infringed and that "the UK Government had discriminated based on the following: Violation of [[Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights|Article 8]] and [[Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights|Article 12]] of the [[European Convention on Human Rights]]". Following this judgment, the UK government had to introduce new legislation to comply. In response to its obligation, the UK [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] passed the Gender Recognition Act 2004, which effectively granted full legal recognition for binary transgender people.<ref name="equalityhumanrights.com1" /> Since 4 April 2005, as per the [[Gender Recognition Act 2004]], it is possible for transgender people to change their [[legal gender]] in the UK. Transgender people must present evidence to a [[Gender Recognition Panel]], which considers their case and issues a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC); they must have [[transitioning (transgender)|transitioned]] two years before a GRC is issued. It is not a requirement for [[sex reassignment surgery]] to have taken place. However, such surgery will be accepted as part of the supporting evidence for a case where it has taken place. There is formal approval of medical gender reassignment available either on the [[National Health Service]] (NHS) or privately. If the person's birth or adoption was registered in the United Kingdom, they may also be issued a new birth certificate after their details have been entered onto the Gender Recognition Register. In June 2020, a report published by the European Commission ranked the procedure established in the Gender Recognition Act 2004 as amongst the worst in Europe with "intrusive medical requirements", which means it now lags behind international human rights standards.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Legal gender recognition in the EU: the journeys of trans people towards full equality|url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/files/lgbti-study-transgender-people_en|access-date=8 October 2020|website=European Commission - European Commission|language=en}}</ref> In September 2020, the UK government published the results of a [[public consultation]] into reform of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 which had been launched in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Analysis of the responses to the Gender Recognition Act (2004) consultation|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/response-to-the-gender-recognition-act-2004-consultation|access-date=9 October 2020|website=GOV.UK|language=en}}</ref> This showed majority support for wide-ranging changes, however the UK Government decided not to change the current law.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54246686|title=Changes to gender recognition laws ruled out|work=bbc.co.uk|access-date=7 October 2020|language=en}}</ref> === Cost === In April 2021, it was reported that the fee for a Gender Recognition Certificate would be reduced from £140 to £5 in early May 2021.<ref name="grcbbc">{{cite web|last1=Parker|first1=Jessica|date=8 April 2021|title=Cost of changing legal gender cut to less than £10. |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56654910|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210407150536/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-56654910|archive-date=7 April 2021|access-date=13 April 2021|website=bbc.co.uk/news|publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="grcinews">{{cite web|last1=Andersson|first1=Jasmine|date=8 April 2021|title=Gender Recognition Certificate's £5 price cut is 'a fig leaf' covering up much-needed reform, experts warn|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/gender-recognition-certificate-5-pound-price-cover-up-reform-946992|access-date=13 April 2021|website=inews.co.uk|language=en}}</ref> People applying for a GRC still require additional documents that separately increase the cost of applying for a GRC to far more than this £5 fee, leaving many still financially unable to apply for the certificate.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} ===Legal recognition of non-binary identities=== {{further|Legal recognition of non-binary gender}} The title "[[Mx (title)|Mx.]]" is widely accepted in the United Kingdom by government organisations and businesses as an alternative for non-binary people,{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} while the [[Higher Education Statistics Agency]] allows the use of non-binary gender markers for [[student]]s in [[higher education]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_studrec&task=show_file&mnl=15051&href=a^_^SEXID.html|title=HESA parameters for SEXID|publisher=Higher Education Statistics Agency|access-date=2 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816135134/https://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_studrec&task=show_file&mnl=15051&href=a%5E_%5ESEXID.html|archive-date=16 August 2016}}</ref> In 2015, [[early day motion]] EDM660 was registered with Parliament,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/edm/2015-16/660|title=Legal Recognition For People Who Do Not Associate With A Particular Gender|publisher=UK Parliament|access-date=2 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521222402/http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2015-16/660|archive-date=21 May 2016}}</ref> calling for citizens to be permitted access to the 'X' marker on [[passport]]s. In 2016, a formal petition through the Parliamentary Petitions Service calling for EDM660 to be passed into law gained only 2,500 signatures before closing.<ref>{{citation |title=Petition: Consider taking EDM660 forward into law |publisher=UK Parliament}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/prolierthanthou84/uk-govt-asked-to-recognise-non-binary-gender-1u4la|title=Community Post: UK Govt Asked To Recognise Non-Binary Gender|website=BuzzFeed Community|access-date=6 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917235817/https://www.buzzfeed.com/prolierthanthou84/uk-govt-asked-to-recognise-non-binary-gender-1u4la|archive-date=17 September 2016}}</ref> In September 2015, the [[Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Justice]] responded to a petition calling for [[self-determination of legal gender]], stating that they were not aware of "any specific detriment" experienced by non-binary people unable to have their genders legally recognised.<ref name="duffypinknewsspecificdetriment">{{cite web|last1=Duffy|first1=Nick|title=Government claims there will be 'social consequences' if trans people can pick their legal gender|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/09/12/government-claims-there-will-be-social-consequences-if-trans-people-can-pick-their-gender/|website=Pink News|access-date=27 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822093619/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/09/12/government-claims-there-will-be-social-consequences-if-trans-people-can-pick-their-gender/|archive-date=22 August 2016|date=12 September 2015}}</ref> In January 2016, the ''Trans Inquiry Report'' by the [[Women and Equalities Committee]] called for protection from discrimination of non-binary people under the [[Equality Act 2010|Equality Act]], for the 'X' gender marker to be added to passports, and for a wholesale review into the needs of non-binary people by the government within six months.<ref name="BtBtransinquiryNB">{{cite web|last1=Lodge|first1=Cassian|title=The Trans Inquiry Report: A Non-Binary Summary|url=http://beyondthebinary.co.uk/the-trans-inquiry-report-a-non-binary-summary/|website=Beyond the Binary|access-date=27 October 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027193526/http://beyondthebinary.co.uk/the-trans-inquiry-report-a-non-binary-summary/|archive-date=27 October 2016|date=15 January 2016}}</ref> In May 2021, the Government rejected a petition to legally recognise non-binary identities, claiming there would be "complex practical consequences" for such a move.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Parsons |first1=Vic |title=Non-binary legal recognition too 'complex' to introduce, UK government confirms |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/05/21/non-binary-legal-gender-recognition-petition-cabinet-office-response/ |website=[[PinkNews]] |access-date=30 May 2021 |date=21 May 2021}}</ref> The petition has passed the threshold of 100,000 signatures to be considered for a debate in Parliament, but {{as of|2021|5|30|lc=y}} this debate had not yet been scheduled.<ref>{{Cite web|date=5 May 2021|title=Over 100k people sign a petition calling for non-binary to be recognised as a legal gender|url=https://thetab.com/uk/2021/05/05/over-100k-people-sign-a-petition-calling-for-non-binary-to-be-recognised-as-a-legal-gender-204086|access-date=30 May 2021|website=[[The Tab]]|language=en-GB}}</ref> ==Discrimination protections== The [[Sex Discrimination Act 1975]] made it illegal to discriminate on the ground of [[anatomical sex]] in employment, education, and the provision of housing, goods, facilities and services.<ref name=equalityhumanrights.com1>{{cite web|title=Transgender: what the law says|url=http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/your-rights/equal-rights/transgender/transgender-what-the-law-says|website=equalityhumanrights.com|publisher=Equality and Human Rights Commission|access-date=5 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318072658/http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/your-rights/equal-rights/transgender/transgender-what-the-law-says|archive-date=18 March 2015}}</ref> The Sex Discrimination (Gender Reassignment) Regulations 1999 extended the existing Sex Discrimination Act, and made it illegal to discriminate against any person on the grounds of gender reassignment, but only in the areas of employment and vocational training.<ref name=equalityhumanrights.com1/> The [[Equality Act 2006]] introduced the [[Gender Equality Duty in Scotland]], which made public bodies obliged to take seriously the threat of harassment or discrimination of transsexual people in various situations. In 2008, the Sex Discrimination (Amendment of Legislation) Regulations extended existing regulation to outlaw discrimination when providing goods or services to transsexual people. The definition of "transsexual" used in the Gender Equality Duty is still technically the same as that in the Sexual Discrimination Act; however, this legislation was meant to prevent discrimination against all [[transgender]] people.<ref name=equalityhumanrights.com1/> The [[Equality Act 2010]] officially adds "gender reassignment" as a "protected characteristic", stating: "A person has the protected characteristic of gender reassignment if the person is proposing to undergo, is undergoing or has undergone a process (or part of a process) for the purpose of reassigning the person's sex by changing physiological or other attributes of sex."<ref>{{cite web|title=Equality Act 2010|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/7|website=legislation.gov.uk|publisher=The National Archives|access-date=5 April 2015|date=2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331072739/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/7|archive-date=31 March 2015}}</ref> This law provides protection for transgender people at work, in education, as a consumer, when using public services, when buying or renting property, or as a member or guest of a private club or association.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights|title=Discrimination: your rights|work=GOV.UK|access-date=30 September 2018|language=en}}</ref> Protection against discrimination by association with a trans person is also included. The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination against people with the protected characteristic of gender reassignment in the provision of separate and single-sex services but includes an exception that service providers can use in exceptional circumstances.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publication-download/services-public-functions-and-associations-statutory-code-practice|title=Services, Public functions and Associations: Statutory Code of Practice {{!}} Equality and Human Rights Commission|website=www.equalityhumanrights.com|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> In general, organisations that provide separate or single‑sex services for women and men, or provide different services to women and men, are required to treat trans people according to the gender role in which they present.<ref name=":0" /> In limited circumstances, treating trans people differently may be lawful. For example, excluding a trans woman from group support sessions within a sexual abuse crisis centre and instead electing to provide individual support privately, may be justified if their presence is considered detrimental to the support of other service users.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providing-services-for-transgender-customers-a-guide|title=Providing services for transgender customers: a guide|website=GOV.UK|language=en|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> This is likely to meet the legal requirements of the exemption in the Equality Act which states that it may be applied as "a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim". The exclusion can only be applied on an individual case-by-case basis and must not form part of a blanket policy for the treatment of trans people&nbsp;(Equality Act 2010, Schedule 3, Part 7; Equality Act 2010, Schedule 23). In 2018, a spokesperson for the [[Government Equalities Office]] maintained that the government had no plans to amend the Equality Act 2010 either directly or indirectly, and that it planned to maintain the Equality Act's "provision for single and separate sex spaces".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kentish |first1=Benjamin |title=Transgender people should not have right to use women-only spaces, government says |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/transgender-people-no-right-single-sex-spaces-government-penny-mordaunt-toilets-changing-rooms-a8414771.html |access-date=25 June 2018 |newspaper=Independent |date=25 June 2018}}</ref> In addition to the basic legal protection afforded by the Equality Act 2010, the UK government has published good practice guidance on providing services that are inclusive of trans people as customers, clients, users or members.<ref name=":1" /> Some transgender rights activists, such as ''Transgender Equality & Rights in Scotland'', advocate adding the category of "gender identity", "in order to be more clearly inclusive of those transgender people who do not identify as transsexual and do not intend to change the gender in which they live". They also want to introduce measures that would clarify protections from discrimination in education, certain kinds of employment, and medical insurance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Equality Act 2010|url=http://www.scottishtrans.org/guidance/principles/equality-act-2010/|website=ScottishTrans.org|publisher=Transgender Equality & Rights in Scotland|access-date=5 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411070022/http://www.scottishtrans.org/guidance/principles/equality-act-2010/|archive-date=11 April 2015}}</ref> In 2020, the court case [[Taylor v Jaguar Land Rover Ltd]] ruled that non-binary gender and genderfluid identities fall under the protected characteristic of gender reassignment in the Equality Act 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiewareham/2020/09/16/non-binary-people-protected-by-equality-act-in-landmark-ruling-against-jaguar-land-rover/|title=Non-Binary People Protected By U.K. Equality Act, Says Landmark Ruling Against Jaguar Land Rover|first=Jamie|last=Wareham|website=Forbes}}</ref> In December 2021, the Girls' Day School Trust, the largest network of girls' private school in the UK, issued a blanket ban of trans girls being admitted to any of its schools.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 January 2022|title=Leading group of private schools introduces 'unwise' ban on trans girls|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/01/03/trans-girls-day-school-trust-gdst/|access-date=17 January 2022|website=PinkNews|language=en-GB}}</ref> In July 2022, [[Vice News]] reported that the [[Financial Conduct Authority]] had planned to issue regulations which required the 58,000 businesses under its jurisdiction to allow trans people in their employ to self declare their gender without the need for a gender recognition certificate. [[Vice Media|Vice]] reported that after receiving pressure from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, the FCA pivoted to a policy of requiring trans people to be referred to by the sex on their birth certificate, unless they have a gender recognition certificate, which only 1% of trans people in the UK possess. Following corresponding backlash from LGBTQ employees within the FCA, all proposed policy changes were scrapped in their entirety.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7zbmd/kemi-badenoch-fca |title=Exclusive: UK Government Pushed City Watchdog to Cancel Trans Inclusion Policy |author=Ben Hunte}}</ref> ===Conversion therapy=== On 31 March 2022, a Downing Street briefing paper leaked to ITV News showed that the government had planned to drop proposed legislation banning [[conversion therapy]], following an announcement that ministers would explore non-legislative methods of handling the practice. The legislation would have included a ban on conversion therapy for transgender people.<ref name="guardian backtrack">{{cite web |last1=Stewart |first1=Heather |last2=Sherwood |first2=Harriet |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/31/boris-johnson-ditches-plans-for-ban-on-lgbt-conversion-practices |title=Boris Johnson backtracks over LGBT conversion practices ban after backlash |date=31 March 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=1 April 2022 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331222620/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/31/boris-johnson-ditches-plans-for-ban-on-lgbt-conversion-practices |archive-date=31 March 2022 }}</ref> Within hours of the leaks, a senior government source stated that the legislation would be introduced in the Queen's Speech in May, and that plans to drop the legislation had been shelved following backlash within the Conservative party and from media outlets. However, in a change from the originally announced plans to ban conversion therapy, the legislation would not criminalise conversion therapy against transgender people.<ref name="PN conversion">{{cite web |last=Chudy |first=Emily |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/04/01/conversion-therapy-trans-u-turn-boris-johnson/ |title=Boris Johnson U-turns on conversion therapy after Tory backlash – but ban won't cover trans people |date=1 April 2022 |work=[[PinkNews]] |access-date=1 April 2022 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401093300/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/04/01/conversion-therapy-trans-u-turn-boris-johnson/ |archive-date=1 April 2022 }}</ref><ref name="BBC conversion">{{cite web |last1=Gallagher |first1=Sophie |last2=Parry |first2=Josh |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60947028 |title=Conversion therapy: Ban to go ahead but not cover trans people |date=1 April 2022 |work=[[BBC News Online]] |access-date=1 April 2022 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401005326/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60947028 |archive-date=1 April 2022 }}</ref> In response, at least 120 LGBT groups pulled out of the UK’s planned first ever ''Safe To Be Me'' conference on LGBT issues.<ref>{{cite news |last=Milton |first=Josh |date=5 April 2022 |title=Tory government's flagship LGBT+ conference left in tatters as even more groups pull out |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/04/05/lgbt-conference-safe-to-be-me-consortium/ |work=[[PinkNews]] |access-date=6 April 2022}}</ref> In July 2022, when gay MP [[Peter Gibson (politician)|Peter Gibson]] resigned as [[Parliamentary Private Secretary]] in the [[Department for International Trade]] in protest at [[Boris Johnson]]'s conduct in the [[Chris Pincher scandal]], his resignation letter expressed disappointment about "the damage our party has inflicted on itself over the failure to include trans people in the ban on conversion therapy".<ref name="Northern Echo 2022-07-06">{{cite news |last1=Conner-Hill |first1=Rachel |title=Darlington MP turns on Boris Johnson and becomes latest to resign |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/20261054.darlington-mp-peter-gibson-turns-boris-becomes-latest-resign/ |access-date=6 July 2022 |work=[[The Northern Echo]] |date=6 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Fellow gay MP and PPS [[Mike Freer]] mentioned in his resignation letter that he felt the government was "creating an atmosphere of hostility for LGBT+ people.<ref name="PinkNews 2022-07-06">{{cite web |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/07/06/mike-freer-boris-johnson-resignation/ |title=Second Tory equalities minister, Mike Freer, quits as Johnson hangs on by thread |first=Josh |last=Milton |work=[[PinkNews]] |date=6 July 2022 |access-date=15 August 2022 }}</ref> == Marriage == {{Main|Transgender marriage}} ===''Corbett v Corbett''=== {{further|Corbett v Corbett}} The legal case of ''[[Corbett v Corbett]]'', heard in November and December 1969 with a February 1971 decision, set a legal precedent regarding the status of [[transsexual]] people in the United Kingdom. It was brought at a time when the UK did not recognise mutual consent as reason enough to dissolve a marriage. [[Arthur Corbett]], the plaintiff, sought a method of dissolving his marriage to the model [[April Ashley]], who had brought a petition under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1965 for maintenance. As a result of Justice Ormrod's decision, the marriage was deemed void, and an unofficial correcting of birth certificates for transsexual and [[intersex]] people ceased. In the 1980s and 1990s, the pressure group, [[Press for Change]], campaigned in support for transgender and transsexual people to be allowed to marry,<ref>{{cite news|title=British transsexuals to get right to get married|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=3008739|access-date=5 April 2015|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald|date=10 December 2002}}</ref> and helped take several cases to the [[European Court of Human Rights]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Case Law - Trans Related cases in the European Court of Human Rights|url=http://www.pfc.org.uk/caselawecthr.html|publisher=Press for Change|access-date=5 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225062401/http://www.pfc.org.uk/caselawecthr.html|archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> In ''Rees v. United Kingdom'' (1986), the court decided that the UK was not violating any human rights.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transsexuals' rights|url=http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4e3131293.pdf|publisher=European Court of Human Rights|access-date=5 April 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703034759/http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4e3131293.pdf|archive-date=3 July 2015}}</ref> ===Situation since the Gender Recognition Act 2004=== Since the Gender Recognition Act 2004, transgender people who are married have been required to divorce or annul their marriage in order for them to be issued with a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). The government chose to retain this requirement in the Act as, effectively, it would have legalised a small category of same-sex marriages. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 allowed the creation of civil partnerships between same-sex couples, but a married couple that includes a transgender partner cannot simply re-register their new status. They must first have their marriage dissolved, gain legal recognition of the new gender and then register for a civil partnership. This is like any divorce with the associated paperwork and costs. With the legalisation of [[same-sex marriage]] in England and Wales, existing marriages will continue where one or both parties change their legal gender and both parties wish to remain married. However, civil partnerships continue where only both parties change their gender simultaneously and wish to remain in their civil partnership. This restriction remains as, effectively, it would legalise a small category of opposite-sex civil partnerships. The legislation also does not restore any of the marriages of transgender people that were forcibly annulled as a precondition for them securing a GRC; a GRC will not be issued unless the spouse of the transgender person has consented. If the spouse does not consent, the marriage must be terminated before a GRC may be issued. [[Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014|Scottish same-sex marriage law]] does not allow a person to veto their spouse's gender recognition in this manner.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/01/16/scottish-parliamentary-committee-votes-to-remove-spousal-veto-from-equal-marriage-bill/|date=16 January 2017|title=Scottish parliamentary committee votes to remove spousal veto from equal marriage bill|newspaper=[[PinkNews]]|access-date=2 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107164402/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/01/16/scottish-parliamentary-committee-votes-to-remove-spousal-veto-from-equal-marriage-bill/|archive-date=7 January 2016}}</ref> ==Legality of sex without disclosure of trans status== Under [[McNally v R]], a 2013 legal precedent in England and Wales concerning the case of an underage gender non-conforming person having sex with a cisgender girl, consensual sexual intercourse in which both parties are not aware of each other's trans status or lack thereof can be prosecuted as rape by gender fraud.<ref>{{cite web |title=McNally v R. [2013] EWCA Crim 1051 |url=http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2013/1051.html |website=BAILII |access-date=23 October 2021 |date=27 June 2013}}</ref> In 2016, trans man Kyran Lee was likewise convicted of sexual assault for having consensual sex without disclosing his trans status.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/lesterfeder/how-an-online-love-affair-ended-with-a-trans-man-convicted-o |title=How An Online Love Affair Ended With A Trans Man Convicted Of Sexual Assault |last=Feder |first=J. Lester |date=14 October 2016 |website=buzzfeednews.com |publisher=BuzzFeed News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190321005805/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/lesterfeder/how-an-online-love-affair-ended-with-a-trans-man-convicted-o |archive-date=21 March 2019}}</ref> ==Summary by legal jurisdiction and territory== {| class=wikitable |- !Transgender rights in: !Right to change legal name !Right to change legal gender !Right to access medical treatment !Right to marry !Military service !Anti-discrimination laws !Hate speech/hate crime laws |- | {{flagicon|ENG}}{{flagicon|WAL}} England and Wales |<!--Right to change legal name--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] [[Deed poll]] and statutory declaration available |<!--Right to change legal gender--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] [[Gender Recognition Act 2004]] |<!--Right to access medical treatment--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Since 1999 via court case of ''[[North West Lancashire Health Authority v A, D and G]]''. |<!--Right to marry-->[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Since 2004; requires divorce in some circumstances in the [[Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013]] |<!--Military service-->[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Since 1999 |<!--Anti-discrimination laws--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] [[Equality Act 2010]], with some exemptions |<!--Hate speech/hate crime laws--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] [[Criminal Justice Act 2003|s146 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003]] |- | {{flagicon|SCO}} [[LGBT rights in Scotland|Scotland]] |<!--Right to change legal name--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Deed poll and statutory declaration available |<!--Right to change legal gender--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] [[Gender Recognition Act 2004]] |<!--Right to access medical treatment--> |<!--Right to marry--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Since 2004 |<!--Military service-->[[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Since 1999 |<!--Anti-discrimination laws--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] [[Equality Act 2010]], with some exemptions |<!--Hate speech/hate crime laws--> |- | [[LGBT rights in Northern Ireland|Northern Ireland]] |<!--Right to change legal name--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Deed poll and statutory declaration |<!--Right to change legal gender--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] [[Gender Recognition Act 2004]] |<!--Right to access medical treatment--> |<!--Right to marry--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Since 2020 |<!--Military service--> [[Image:Yes check.svg|15px|Yes]] Since 1999 |<!--Anti-discrimination laws--> [[Image:yes check.svg|15px|yes]] [https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/1976/1042/contents The Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976] |<!--Hate speech/hate crime laws--> |} == Public attitudes == {{Further|LGBT rights in the United Kingdom#Towards transgender people|label1=LGBT rights in the United Kingdom § Public opinion towards transgender people|Feminist views on transgender topics#United Kingdom|label2=Feminist views on transgender topics § United Kingdom}} A report on "Attitudes to transgender people" commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that 84% of the British public described themselves as "not prejudiced at all" towards transgender people and 76% believed that prejudice against transgender people was "always or mostly wrong".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Attitudes to transgender people &#124; Equality and Human Rights Commission |url=https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publication-download/attitudes-transgender-people |website=www.equalityhumanrights.com}}</ref> [[Stonewall (charity)|Stonewall]] said the anti-trans discourse in the media does not reflect public opinion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 August 2020 |title=New report tells us how the public actually feel about trans people |url=https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/new-report-tells-us-how-public-actually-feel-about-trans-people |website=Stonewall}}</ref> A 2020 survey highlighted a [[generation gap]], and found that 56% of [[Generation Z]] (ages 18 to 24) believed that transgender rights have not gone far enough, compared to only 20% of [[baby boomers]] (ages 55 to 75).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Majority of Britons say that transgender people face discrimination in Britain |url=https://www.ipsos.com/ipsos-mori/en-uk/majority-britons-say-transgender-people-face-discrimination-britain |access-date=17 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Transgender rights and a generational divide |url=https://almanac.ipsos-mori.com/project/transgender-rights-and-a-generational-divide/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reid-Smith |first=Tris |date=15 July 2020 |title=New poll exposes the fault lines in the battle for trans rights |url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/new-poll-exposes-the-fault-lines-in-the-battle-for-trans-rights/ |website=Gay Star News}}</ref> Similarly, a YouGov survey found that 57 per cent of women believed that trans people should be able to [[Gender self-identification|self-identify as their chosen gender]]; the survey also found that 70% of Labour voters supported self-identification while only 13% opposed it; furthermore the study found that support for trans rights was most profound in urban areas, with only 14% in London opposed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Majority of women support trans people's right to self-identify despite years of relentless transphobia, eye-opening polling finds |work=Pink News |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/07/09/trans-self-identify-liz-truss-gender-recognition-act-yougov-polling-women-dawn-butler/ |access-date=21 November 2021}}</ref> A study entitled "The 'fault lines' in the UK's culture wars" found that people who opposed trans rights were more likely to rely on incorrect information.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Majority who oppose trans rights and Black Lives Matter movement have warped sense of reality, according to science |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/majority-oppose-trans-rights-black-084939516.html |website=uk.news.yahoo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The "fault lines" in the UK's culture wars |url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/policy-institute/assets/fault-lines-in-the-uks-culture-wars.pdf |access-date=17 January 2022 |website=King's College London}}</ref> A 2018 survey of 1,000 UK employers found that 33% reported themselves as "less likely" to hire a trans person, and only 9% believed trans people should be protected from employment discrimination.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Johansson |first1=Eric |title=One in three UK employers unlikely to hire transgender candidates |date=19 June 2018 |url=http://elitebusinessmagazine.co.uk/legal/employment-law/item/one-in-three-uk-employers-unlikely-to-hire-transgender-candidates}}</ref> On 9 July 2022, Vogue reported that over 20,000 people marched in [[London]] to support trans rights.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Wade |first1=Bex |date=11 July 2022 |title="The Community Needed This Day": London's Trans+ Pride March Was A Display Of Strength And Solidarity |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/gallery/trans-pride-london-2022}}</ref> On 16 July, PinkNews reported that over 20,000 people marched in [[Brighton]] for the same cause.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Wakefield |first1=Lily |date=16 July 2022 |title=20,000 people march for trans rights and liberation at Trans Pride Brighton |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/07/16/trans-pride-brighton-gra-sport-conversion-therapy/}}</ref> [[Christine Burns]], author of ''Trans Britain: Our Journey from the Shadows'', stated in a [[CNN]] article that ''[[The Times]]'' and ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' newspapers published "six trans related pieces in 2016" but "over 150 in 2017 and similarly each year since".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/04/uk/trans-rights-reforms-scotland-gbr-intl/index.html|title=The quest for trans rights has exposed a deep divide in the UK. Scotland may show a way forward|last=John|first=Tara|date=4 April 2020|website=CNN|access-date=4 April 2020}}</ref> In evidence given to the Edinburgh Employment Tribunal in 2019, Burns said that during 2016, both ''The Times'' and ''Sunday Times'' began to publish a larger number of trans-related stories, and by 2017 had "uniquely" published "over 130" trans-related items, which she described as a "trans backlash" stemming from 2015.<ref name="PS">{{cite web |last1=Burns |first1=Christine |title=Witness Statement re Edinburgh Employment Tribunal involving Katherine O'Donnell |url=http://blog.plain-sense.co.uk/2019/05/the-statement-below-is-written-evidence_9.html |website=Plain Sense |publisher=Plain Sense |access-date=16 October 2020 |ref=PS |language=en}}</ref> In December 2020, the [[Independent Press Standards Organisation]] released a report stating that the average number of UK media stories about trans rights had jumped 414% between May 2014 and May 2019, from 34 per month to 176 per month, and that in the preceding year of research that number had risen to 224 stories per month.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/report-ten-year-uk-press-coverage-trans-issues-respectful-yet-heated/ |title=Report charts UK press coverage of trans issues becoming more respectful yet 'heated' |last1=Tobitt |first1=Charlotte|date=10 December 2020 }}</ref> ===Transphobia and TERF debate=== Several commentators have described the level of [[transphobia]] in British society in general (including the negative coverage of trans-related issues in the media) and the support for [[trans-exclusionary radical feminism]] (TERF) in particular as unusual compared to other [[Western countries]], and the discourse on transgender-related issues in the United Kingdom has been called a "TERF war".<ref>{{cite news |title=Inside the Great British TERF War |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/889qe5/trans-rights-uk-debate-terfs |access-date=20 November 2021 |work=VICE}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Where J.K. Rowling's Transphobia Comes From |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/06/jk-rowling-transphobia-feminism |access-date=20 November 2021 |magazine=Vanity Fair}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=How trans 'Harry Potter' fans are grappling with J.K. Rowling's legacy after her transphobic comments |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2020/07/31/harry-potter-fans-grapple-j-k-rowling-transgender-remarks/5471834002/ |access-date=20 November 2021 |work=USA Today}}</ref><ref>Pearce R, Erikainen S, Vincent B. TERF wars: An introduction. The Sociological Review. 2020;68(4):677-698. doi:10.1177/0038026120934713</ref><ref>Hines S. Sex wars and (trans) gender panics: Identity and body politics in contemporary UK feminism. The Sociological Review. 2020;68(4):699-717. doi:10.1177/0038026120934684</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=What is behind the rise in transphobia in the UK? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/program/upfront/2021/12/24/what-is-behind-the-rise-in-transphobia-in-the-uk |access-date=28 December 2021 |work=Al Jazeera English}}</ref> Lisa Tilley said the British media play a large role in advancing a transphobic agenda to demonise transgender people, and that "the effects are to make the UK one of the most transphobic countries in the world."<ref>{{cite news |last1=John |first1=Tara |title=Anti-trans rhetoric is rife in the British media. Little is being done to extinguish the flames |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/09/uk/uk-trans-rights-gender-critical-media-intl-gbr-cmd/index.html |access-date=24 November 2021 |work=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Drawing on theory of [[radicalisation]], Craig McLean argues that discourse on transgender-related issues in the UK has been radicalised in response to the activities of new lobby groups that push "a radical agenda to deny the basic rights of trans people [...] under the cover of "free speech'".<ref>{{cite journal |last1=McLean |first1=Craig |title=The Growth of the Anti-Transgender Movement in the United Kingdom. The Silent Radicalization of the British Electorate |journal=International Journal of Sociology |date=2021 |volume=51 |issue=6 |pages=473–482 |doi=10.1080/00207659.2021.1939946|s2cid=237874806 }}</ref> [[Finn Mackay]] argued that "during the pandemic, the ceaseless attacks on and lies told about trans people in our media have only increased [...] the fact that our media is awash with conspiracy theories about trans lives [...] should be a national shame."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mackay |first1=Finn |title=Female Masculinities and the Gender Wars: The Politics of Sex |date=2021 |publisher=Bloomsbury |isbn=9780755606665}}</ref> The UK-wide public consultation on reforming the process of obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate, launched by the government of [[Theresa May]] in 2018,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Michael |date=23 July 2017 |title=Gender reassignment could be streamlined under proposal |work=[[The Observer]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/23/gender-reassignment-could-be-streamlined-under-proposal |access-date=17 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Duffy |first=Nick |date=18 May 2018 |title=Gender Recognition Act review will launch before summer, government says |work=[[PinkNews]] |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/05/18/gender-recognition-act-review-will-launch-before-summer-government-says/ |access-date=17 October 2021}}</ref> has led to a "toxic culture war," according to [[CNN]].<ref name=":2" /> In a report on "hate against LGBTI people in Europe" published in 2021, the [[Council of Europe]] criticised "the extensive and often virulent attacks on the rights of LGBTI people for several years" in the United Kingdom along with [[LGBT rights in Hungary|Hungary]], [[LGBT rights in Poland|Poland]], [[LGBT rights in Russia|Russia]], and [[LGBT rights in Turkey|Turkey]], and said that these attacks "deliberately mischaracterise the fight for the equality of LGBTI people as so-called 'gender ideology' and seek to stifle the identities and realities of all those who challenge the social constructs that perpetuate gender inequalities and gender-based violence in our societies."<ref>{{cite web |title=Committee highlights rise in hatred against LGBTI people |url=https://pace.coe.int/en/news/8431/committee-highlights-rise-in-hatred-against-lgbti-people |publisher=[[Council of Europe]] |access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref><ref name=coereport>{{cite web |title=Combating rising hate against LGBTI people in Europe |url=https://assembly.coe.int/LifeRay/EGA/Pdf/TextesProvisoires/2021/20210921-RisingHateLGBTI-EN.pdf |publisher=[[Council of Europe]] |access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref><ref name=pnsep21>{{cite news |title=UK named alongside Russia, Poland and Hungary in damning LGBT+ hate report due to transphobia |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/09/24/uk-council-europe-report-lgbt-hate-speech/ |access-date=28 December 2021 |work=[[PinkNews]]}}</ref> ​The report described anti-trans rhetoric in the United Kingdom as having gained "baseless and concerning credibility, at the expense of both trans people's [[civil liberties]] and women's and children's rights", citing an increase in anti-trans hate crimes since 2015 and statements made at the 2021 [[IDAHOT]] forum by Minister of Equalities, [[Kemi Badenoch]]. The report also highlighted anti-LGBT+ hate speech on social media.<ref name=pnsep21 /><ref name=coereport /> At several British universities student bodies have sought to ban trans-exclusionary radical feminists from appearing as speakers. In 2015 the [[University of Manchester Students' Union]] banned [[Julie Bindel]] from speaking at the university over concerns that her views would "incite hatred."<ref>{{cite news |title=Julie Bindel banned from appearing at censorship debate over 'dangerous' trans views |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/10/09/julie-bindel-banned-from-appearing-at-censorship-debate-over-dangerous-trans-views/ |access-date=20 November 2021 |work=Pink News}}</ref> In 2018 the [[University of Bristol Students' Union]] (Bristol SU) adopted a motion that banned trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs) from appearing as speakers at Bristol SU events and that called upon the university to adopt the same policy. The motion said the TERF ban was necessary because TERF activity on the university campus "put[s] trans students' safety at risk [...] in direct violation of the aims outlined in the Code of Conduct."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/03/02/university-of-bristol-students-vote-to-ban-transphobic-feminist-speakers/|title=University of Bristol students vote to ban 'transphobic feminist speakers'|date=2 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2018/03/01/bristol-university-students-seek-ban-terf-speakers-question/|title=Bristol University students seek to ban 'Terf' speakers who question transgender status of women|first=Camilla|last=Turner|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=1 March 2018|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bristol-university-students-ban-transphobic-feminists-73d0pmrx7|title=Bristol University students vote to ban 'transphobic' feminists|first=Charlie|last=Parker|via=www.thetimes.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bristolsu.org.uk/resources/motion-10-prevent-future-trans-exclusionary-radical-feminist-terf-groups-from-holding-events-at-the-university-pdf|title=Motion 10 - Prevent Future Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist - TERF - Groups from Holding Events at the University.pdf @ Bristol SU|website=www.bristolsu.org.uk}}</ref> In November 2021, the physician and LGBT+ rights activist Adrian Harrop was forced to attend a tribunal held by the Department of Health's Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service to determine his fitness to continue practising medicine, after he made several tweets in support of trans rights. Vice News reported that "One of the tweets deemed 'highly offensive' by the tribunal involved Harrop calling a woman who vocally opposes trans rights 'a venomous transphobic bigot', whose aim was to 'demonise trans people' while 'excluding them from public life'." The MPTS ultimately handed down a one-month suspension for Harrop's tweets, stating in its ruling that "Harrop's actions in posting inappropriate tweets over a sustained period of time, in contradiction to the advice he was given, breached fundamental tenets of the profession. His actions brought the profession into disrepute, undermining public confidence in the profession and the standards of conduct expected from members of the profession."<ref>{{Cite web|title='Humiliated but Determined': Pro-Trans UK Doctor Suspended for 'Insulting' Tweets|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/k7wwxa/nhs-doctor-adrian-harrop-suspended|access-date=17 January 2022|website=www.vice.com|language=en}}</ref> In June 2022, it was announced that Stephanie Davies-Arai, founder of the group [[Transgender Trend]], which advocates against access to gender affirming healthcare for transgender youth, would receive the [[British Empire Medal]] from [[Queen Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vindication for 'transphobic' gender-critical campaigner named in Queen's Birthday Honours list |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/06/01/vindication-transphobic-gender-critical-campaigner-named-queens/ |last=Rayner |first=Gordon |date=1 June 2022 |publisher=The Telegraph |access-date=2 June 2022 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601221111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/06/01/vindication-transphobic-gender-critical-campaigner-named-queens/ |archive-date=1 June 2022 }}</ref> A June 2022 [[YouGov]] poll found "an overall gradual erosion in support towards transgender rights”. In 2018, 43% of Brits surveyed agreed that trans women are women, compared to 38% in 2022. 61% of Brits surveyed stated they were against trans women in women's sports, compared to 48% in 2018. Likewise, the amount of people believing there is no risk to allowing trans women to use women's facilities fell from 43% to 32%. The amount of people who believed a doctor's permission should not be required to change their gender on government documents fell from 65% to 60%. Sasha Misra, Associate Director of Communications for [[Stonewall (charity)|Stonewall]], stated in response that "a dip in public support on some trans issues is only to be expected, given the excessive and incendiary level of coverage we have seen in the media over the last few years".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Support for trans rights 'eroding' in the UK thanks to 'hostile government and media attacks' |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/07/22/trans-rights-support-uk-yougov/ |last1=Milton |first1=Josh|date=22 July 2022 }}</ref> The poll also found only 38% of Brits surveyed in favor of the NHS providing gender affirming care.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2022/07/20/where-does-british-public-stand-transgender-rights |title=Where does the British public stand on transgender rights in 2022? |last1=Smith |first1=Matthew}}</ref> In July 2022, PinkNews reported that MP [[Joanna Cherry]] had been elected chair of the [[Joint Committee on Human Rights]]. PinkNews reported that Cherry was "a fan of anti-trans lobby group LGB Alliance and a pal of JK Rowling's, Joanna Cherry has fought hard against the reform of gender recognition laws in Scotland, and has publicly declared it should be legal to subject trans people to conversion therapy". Professor Stephen Whittle OBE of Manchester Metropolitan University was quoted describing Cherry as having "antagonism to trans people's privacy rights as clarified by the European Courts", and characterised the development as "an incalculable loss to justice and parliament's role in protecting the UK's minorities".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/07/21/joanna-cherry-human-rights-committtee-trans-gender-critical/ |title=So-called 'gender critical' MP Joanna Cherry elected chair of human rights committee |last1=Wakefield |first1=Lily|date=21 July 2022 }}</ref> In August 2022, Attorney General [[Suella Braverman]] opined that it is lawful for schools to misgender, deadname, ban from some sports, reject from enrollment based on their trans status, and refuse any and all other forms of gender affirmation to trans kids, and that to recognise their identities as trans would qualify as "indoctrinating children".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/08/12/suella-bravermantrans-schools-speech-misinterpreted/ |last1=Wakefield |first1=Lily |title=Suella Braverman 'misinterpreted' equality law in 'ideological' attack on trans kids, barrister says|date=12 August 2022 }}</ref> In October 2022, the [[Home Office]] reported that between 2021 and 2022, hate crimes against trans people increased by 56%, which it linked to growing hostility on social media.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/hate-crime-transgender-uk-figures-b2196759.html?amp |last1=Dearden |first1=Lizzie |title= Hate crimes reach record high as offences against transgender people double|website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |date=6 October 2022 }}</ref> ===BBC coverage=== The BBC, the United Kingdom's state-funded media, has frequently drawn criticism from both pro-transgender activist groups and British politicians for its reporting on and policies towards trans issues. In December 2020, the head of the UK media regulator Ofcom issued condemning the BBC for balancing appearances by transgender people with activists from gender critical groups, calling it 'extremely inappropriate'.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 December 2020|title=Ofcom boss declares it 'extremely inappropriate' for BBC to 'balance' trans people with anti-trans activists|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/12/15/ofcom-melanie-dawes-bbc-lgb-alliance-john-nicolson-trans-transphobia-balance/|access-date=17 January 2022|website=PinkNews|language=en-GB}}</ref> In October 2021, the BBC published the article [['We're being pressured into sex by some trans women']], written by Caroline Lowbridge. It was produced by BBC [[Nottingham]], a branch of [[BBC English Regions]]. The article claims that [[lesbian]]s are being pressured by [[Trans woman|transgender women]] into having sex with them.<ref name="i">{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/bbc-article-lynching-trans-people-comments-transphobia-row-1285836|title=How a BBC article on trans women and lesbians became the eye of the storm in a transphobia row|work=[[i (newspaper)|i]]|last=Andersson|first=Jasmine|date=5 November 2021|access-date=7 November 2021}}</ref> The article received widespread criticism among the [[LGBT community]] as [[transphobia|transphobic]]. It drew particular attention for the inclusion of comments from female pornographic actress Lily Cade, who wrote a blog post after the article's publication calling for the "lynching" of trans women.<ref name="Guardian Nov4">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/nov/04/bbc-changes-online-article-at-centre-of-transphobia-row|title=BBC changes online article at centre of transphobia row|work=[[The Guardian]]|last=Topping|first=Alexandra|date=4 November 2021|access-date=5 November 2021}}</ref> Cade's comments were subsequently removed from the article.<ref name="Guardian Nov4" /> Trans Activism UK, [[Trans Media Watch]] and [[Mermaids (charity)|Mermaids]] were critical of the article; an open letter with 20,000 signatories asked for the BBC to apologise. ''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''[[The Times]]'' reported that the article was met with backlash by BBC staff, including prior to its publication, while protests took place outside BBC offices. Criticisms centred on the inclusion of a [[Twitter]] poll from the anti-transgender group [[Get the L Out]] that reported 56% of 80 self-selected lesbians had been pressured into sex by transgender women. Critics also believed that Lowbridge's chosen interviewees had a narrow range of viewpoints. A [[Stonewall (charity)|Stonewall]] executive is quoted on the subject, as is the co-founder of the [[LGB Alliance]], which was created in opposition to Stonewall after they began to campaign for transgender equality. In November 2021, the BBC announced it was pulling out of Stonewall's diversity scheme, citing a need to remain impartial.<ref>{{Cite news|date=10 November 2021|title=BBC pulls out of Stonewall diversity scheme|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-59232736|access-date=17 January 2022}}</ref> ===Equality And Human Rights Commission=== The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is a [[non-departmental public body]] in [[England and Wales]], established by the [[Equality Act 2006]] with effect from 1 October 2007. The commission has responsibility for the promotion and enforcement of equality and non-discrimination laws in England, Scotland and Wales. It took over the responsibilities of the [[Commission for Racial Equality]], the [[Equal Opportunities Commission (United Kingdom)|Equal Opportunities Commission]] and the [[Disability Rights Commission]]. The EHRC also has responsibility for other aspects of equality law: age, [[sexual orientation]] and religion or belief. A [[national human rights institutions|national human rights institution]], it seeks to promote and protect human rights in England and Wales. In April 2021, the EHRC submitted evidence backing Maya Forstater in [[Forstater v Center for Global Development Europe]], wherein Forstater sued her employer, the Center for Global Development Europe, for not having her employment contract renewed after expressing gender critical beliefs.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Maya Forstater: Woman wins tribunal appeal over transgender tweets|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57426579}}</ref> [[PinkNews]] reported that the EHRC issued a statement saying "We think that a 'gender critical' belief that 'trans women are men and trans men are women' is a philosophical belief which is protected under the Equality Act".<ref>{{Cite news|title=UK equality watchdog thinks it should be legal for 'gender critics' to misgender trans people|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/04/29/maya-forstater-appeal-trans-transphobia-gender-critical-equality-act-ehrc/}}</ref> In May 2021, the EHRC withdrew itself from Stonewall's diversity champions scheme.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Human rights body leaves Stonewall diversity scheme|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57219989}}</ref> In December 2021, gender critical lawyer Akua Reindorf was named the commissioner of the EHRC, along with receiving a seat as a board member, by Liz Truss.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/12/20/stonewall-akua-reindorf-ehrc/ |title=Barrister who slammed Stonewall's trans inclusion advice handed key equalities role by Liz Truss |last1=Parsons |first1=Vic|date=20 December 2021 }}</ref> In January 2022, the EHRC released dual statements opposing the removal of administrative barriers for trans people to receive legal recognition in Scotland, and asking that England and Wales' ban on conversion therapy not include trans people.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Britain's Equalities Watchdog Met Privately With Anti-Trans Groups|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxdzwn/ehrc-trans-rights-leaked-emails}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Call for rethink of Scottish gender recognition reforms|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-60141382}}</ref> In February 2022, Vice News reported that it had been leaked sections of an unpublished EHRC guidance pack dating to late 2021, which advised businesses and organisations to exclude transgender people from single-sex spaces - including toilets, hospital wards, and changing rooms - unless they held a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). Vice reported that the guidance, which had been due to be released in January 2022, but had not been published {{as of|February 2022|lc=y}}, was aimed at "[protecting] women", and that just 1% of trans people in the UK held a GRC.<ref>{{Cite news|title= Leaked EHRC Guidance Reveals Plans to Exclude Most Trans People From Bathrooms|url= https://www.vice.com/en/article/3ab5my/leaked-ehrc-guidance-trans-people-gender-recognition-certificates}}</ref> ===Grooming conspiracy theory=== {{Main|LGBT grooming conspiracy theory}} In 2020, anti-transgender activist [[Graham Linehan]] was banned from Twitter after beginning to use "OK groomer" as an attack against those who criticised his activism. The term was also picked by pressure group [[Transgender Trend]], which used in material that it sent to schools to oppose advice given by LGBT+ charities such as [[Stonewall (charity)|Stonewall]].<ref>{{cite web|date=13 April 2022|title=How 'groomer', the dangerous new anti-LGBT slur from America, is taking hold in Britain|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/long-reads/groomer-new-lgbt-slur-incite-hatred-spark-violence-1585179|author-last=Strudwick|author-first=Patrick|access-date=29 July 2022|work=[[i (newspaper)|i]]}}</ref> In March 2020, ''[[The Times]]'' columnist [[Janice Turner]] accused the charity [[Mermaids (charity)|Mermaids]], which offers support for trans youth, of grooming for introducing an exit button on their website in response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] lockdown.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/03/26/mermaids-transgender-charity-exit-button-website-twitter-janice-turner-shon-faye/ | title=The anti-trans brigade is attacking children's charity Mermaids for helping its users protect their identity. Yes, really |work=[[PinkNews]] | date=26 March 2020 }}</ref> The conspiracy has also been used by the far-right in the UK, including [[Tommy Robinson (activist)|Tommy Robinson]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hopenothate.org.uk/2022/03/16/transphobia-and-the-far-right/ | title=Transphobia and the Far Right | date=16 March 2022 |publisher=[[Hope not Hate]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://transsafety.network/posts/far-right-converge/ | title=Gender Critical and Fascist social media increasingly promoting each other |publisher=Trans Safety Network }}</ref> ==Scotland== In March 2022, a bill was formally introduced in the [[Scottish Parliament]] which would reform the [[Gender Recognition Act 2004|Gender Recognition Act]] implemented by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill |url=https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/gender-recognition-reform-scotland-bill |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=www.parliament.scot |language=en}}</ref> If enacted, this bill would make it easier for trans people in Scotland to change their legally recognised gender by changing the process of applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate. Under the changes, applicants would no longer need to prove having lived for two years in their acquired gender or obtain a [[gender dysphoria]] diagnosis. Instead, they would be required to swear under oath that they intend to remain permanently in their acquired gender. In addition, applications would be handled by the [[General Register Office for Scotland|Registrar General for Scotland]], instead of a UK-wide [[Gender Recognition Panel|gender recognition panel]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=Gender recognition reform bill tabled at Holyrood |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-60589578 |access-date=5 March 2022}}</ref> The [[Government of the United Kingdom|UK Government]] has ruled out implementing similar changes in England and Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 2020 |title=UK government drops gender self-identification plan for trans people |url=http://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/sep/22/uk-government-drops-gender-self-identification-plan-for-trans-people |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> ==See also== *[[History of transgender people in the United Kingdom]] *[[Transgender rights]] *[[LGBT+ Liberal Democrats]] *[[Labour Campaign for Trans Rights]] *[[Intersex rights in the United Kingdom]] *[[LGBT rights in the United Kingdom]] *[["We're being pressured into sex by some trans women"]] {{Portal bar|Transgender|United Kingdom|Law}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[https://www.gov.uk/apply-gender-recognition-certificate Gender Recognition Certificate] {{Europe topic|Transgender rights in}} {{LGBT in the United Kingdom}} {{Transgender topics}} [[Category:Human rights in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:LGBT rights in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Transgender in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Transgender law in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Transgender rights by country|United Kingdom]] [[Category:United Kingdom tribunals]] [[Category:Gender in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Discrimination in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Healthcare in the United Kingdom]]'