Justine Greening Responds – The Banality of Evil
by David Robertson, theweeflea:
Dear David Robertson
Thank you for your email of 25th July to Justine Greening. I have been asked to respond on her behalf.
We want transgender people to be healthy and happy and to live their lives free from discrimination and distress. We know many transgender people feel the current gender recognition system is inaccessible, intrusive and bureaucratic.
We know that it needs to change: that is why we are delivering on our commitment to review the Gender Recognition Act and move to a gender recognition system that works better for trans people. In line with our commitment, we will streamline the Act and remove its focus on medical checks, lifting bureaucratic burden and helping to make day-to-day life more comfortable for trans people.
Many trans people find the current focus on medical checks in the gender recognition process very intrusive and stigmatising. That is why we are moving to a system that works better for trans people.
As a person’s gender has important legal and social consequences, we will consider carefully the impact of self-declaration in our policy development and we will consult widely on proposals to reduce medical evidence requirements.
Attaining quick, accessible and transparent legal gender recognition helps transgender people live more comfortably and free from stigma and discrimination. This should not mean that there is a hierarchy of equality: we want all people to be safe, healthy and happy, irrespective of their gender identity.
We recognise that the provision of toilets and other single-sex or communal facilities is a particularly sensitive issue for some people. That is why we have issued guidance for service providers to help them create comfortable, welcoming environments for all their customers. We will consult widely on the detail of proposals to change legislation and this will include with women’s groups.
Thank you again for your email, and I hope this response helps to alleviate your concerns.
Yours sincerely
Government Equalities Office