A medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria will no longer be required in order to obtain a gender recognition certificate under the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill (GRC).
The applicant’s minimum age would also be lowered to 16 and the applicant’s time living in their acquired gender would be reduced from two years to three months (or six months for those between the ages of 16 and 17), though there would be a three-month reflection period.
After a lengthy session of parliament yesterday, MSPs will discuss the final of the 153 amendments submitted at stage three of the bill before a final vote this afternoon.
The sitting was disrupted by protests from the public gallery, with opponents of the bill shouting “shame on all of you” as an amendment that would make it harder for sex offenders to apply for a GRC was voted down.
The Scottish Tories also appeared to be trying to make the proceedings last as long as possible by tabling four amendments to the agenda, forcing a vote on the timetable for the consideration of amendments, raising a further motion for MSPs to vote on and several points of order – all before the debate on the amendments began.
The party also opted to push amendments to a vote – even when the proposer of the changes did not.
It has been one of the most controversial bills in Holyrood since devolution.
Opponents have raised concerns about its impact on the safety of women and girls, while the Scottish government has insisted it will not impact the Equality Act – which allows for trans people to be excluded from single-sex spaces such as changing rooms and shelters.
Source: SkyNews.com