Gender Recognition Act: Organisations in support of reform give evidence
15 March 2021
In its third oral evidence session of the inquiry into the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA), the Committee hears from organisations who strongly support further changes being made to the Gender Recognition Act.
- Parliament TV: Reform of the Gender Recognition Act
- Inquiry: Reform of the Gender Recognition Act
- Women and Equalities Committee
Purpose of the session
Objectives for this week’s session:
- To gather evidence on whether the Government’s proposed changes go far enough, and if not why.
- To understand what areas of the Gender Recognition Act need changing, and understand the arguments for self-identification.
- To explore how any changes that were made to the GRA could be made in a way that addresses the concerns of other groups.
Chair's comment
Women and Equalities Committee Chair, Caroline Nokes, said:
“The Government has said it wants to make the process of applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate “kinder and more straightforward”, but is it moving in the right direction? In this session we will hear from organisations who support changes to the Gender Recognition Act to examine what areas of the Act need changing.”
Witnesses
- Nancy Kelley, Chief Executive Officer, Stonewall
- Lui Asquith, Director of Legal and Policy, Mermaids
- Cat Burton, Chair, Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES)
- Dr Jane Hamlin, President, Beaumont Society
Background
The Women and Equalities Committee was established in June 2015. The 2015 Committee’s report on transgender equality made recommendations for improvement and reform in a wide range of areas including cross Government strategy, NHS services and tackling everyday transphobia, as well as reforms to the law.
The current Committee, formed last January, has chosen this area as a priority for 2020-21.
Further information
Image: Crown copyright