Passport control: checking the argument for self-declared gender recognition certificates

At Stage 2 of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill Scottish Labour MSP Michael Marra lodged two amendments that sought to align the process for obtaining a gender recognition certificate (GRC) more closely with that for passports, by requiring a…

Women, sex and the Equality Network: lifting the fig leaf

Discussion on the relationship between the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill and the Equality Act has largely focused on the law as it is. This blog looks instead at what one of Scotland’s leading trans advocacy organisations – which has…

Setting the minimum age for a GRC: a question of responsibility

One of the most contested issues in relation to the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill concerns the proposal to lower the minimum age for acquiring a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) from 18 to 16 years, based on a statutory declaration,…

Response to emergency consultation on protection of freedom of expression in the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill (February 2021)

Our response to the Justice Committee's emergency consultation on freedom of expression in Bill is provided below. A PDF version of the briefing can be downloaded here. The Issue Our concern is whether the law will provide a clear point…

Hate Crime and Public Order Bill: Stage 2 Briefing. The need for tailored freedom of expression protection for transgender identity (January 2021)

Briefing on the need for tailored freedom of expression protection for transgender identity

Protecting Freedom of Expression: When less is less (January 2021)

The Justice Committee will start to consider potential amendments to Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill on Tuesday 2 February. How many more sittings there are will depend on how much time the Committee decides it needs to consider…