"Think of it this way. If a GRC is a sort of key, and you are going to hand out lots more copies, to a more diverse group, the first job of legislators is to be really clear about what…
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Joint note on Scottish Government handling of gender recognition reform
The note below was sent to Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. The note highlights the Scottish Government’s inadequate policy processes, its failure to engender an atmosphere conducive to a civilised public debate…
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Has the Scottish Government undertaken any further analysis on gender recognition reform since 2019?
On 2 March 2022 the Scottish Government published the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. On introducing the Bill Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison stated: 'This Bill does not introduce any new rights for trans people. It is about simplifying and…
MBM submission to Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
Our submission to the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill can be read below. A copy of the submission can also be downloaded here. About us MurrayBlackburnMackenzie (MBM) is a not-for-profit independent…
The potential for GRA reform to affect who can access single sex services: briefing for MSPs
The note below was sent yesterday to all MSPs on behalf of a number of women's groups, following the first public session of Stage 1 of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill on Tuesday 17 May. It sets out why…
MBM submission on Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
Our written evidence to the Scottish Parliament's Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee can be found here. Our submission highlights that: The equality impact assessment (EqIA) of the draft legislation has barely changed since the EqIA undertaken for the…
Read More MBM submission on Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
How to submit evidence on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
The Scottish Parliament Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice (EHRCJ) Committee is currently inviting written submissions on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. The deadline is Monday 16 May and evidence must be submitted via the Scottish Parliament’s online platform.…
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Cross-border effects of GRA reform in Scotland: unanswered questions
We have written previously about the potential cross border effects of the Scottish Government’s proposals to introduce a self-declaration model of legal sex change. In 2003, the then Scottish Executive – a Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition – considered whether to legislate…
Read More Cross-border effects of GRA reform in Scotland: unanswered questions
MBM April 2022 newsletter
Our newsletter for April 2022 is available here.
The SPS review on trans prisoners: a chance to get policy-making in Scottish prisons back on track
This blog uses material from recently received FoI responses, supplemented by other published and unpublished sources, to consider how the current Scottish Prison Service (SPS) review of its Gender Identity and Gender Reassignment Policy offers a chance to get policy…