Glasgow Rally Planned After Gender Recognition Bill Blocked
Crowds are planning a Glasgow protest after the UK government decided to block Scottish gender recognition reforms.
Campaigners are expected to descend on the Buchanan Galleries steps on Saturday, January 21 at 11 a.m. after calling the block as a “disgusting attack on trans people.”
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The legislation, which would allow trans individuals to obtain a gender recognition certificate (GRC) without a medical diagnosis in Scotland, was challenged by the UK government.
MSP's passed the bill last month but Scottish Secretary Alister Jack claimed it could have “chilling effects on single-sex spaces” and “significant complications” from having different processes for obtaining a GRC in different parts of the UK.
It has been previously reported how he initiated a Section 35 order – a never before utilized section of the 1998 Scotland Act – to prevent the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from gaining royal assent. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon responded by accusing the UK government of “using trans people as a political weapon” if they seek to block gender reforms passed by the Scottish Parliament.
Now, campaigners have taken to social media to arrange a rally in Glasgow city center to reject the block.
One person said: “Protest the UK government's attempt to block the Scottish GRA reform and stand in solidarity with this disgusting attack on trans people.”
Another said: “Trans rights are human rights. Trans people will not be erased.”
Meanwhile, the Glasgow Times spoke to “frustrated” trans woman Tess Porter DeMarco who worries the block could get in the way of “freedom” for trans people in the future. The 46-year-old, from Paisley, came out as trans two years ago as a “late bloomer” but has been on her journey since her 20s.
Tess believes if the gender legislation bill had been around when she was younger it could have helped her come out as her true self much sooner. Now Tess has been left disappointed by the UK government's attempts to stand in the way of the reforms.
She told the Glasgow Times: “It's frustrating that the UK Government has opposed gender recognition bill. The gender legislation Bill represents freedom for transgender people. If the bill had been approved years earlier then I most likely would have come out as transgender a lot sooner. I fear that the opposition to the legislation from the UK government is a possible precursor to the UK government being far more aggressive towards Scottish sovereignty, as well as the rest of the UK.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
UK government Blocks Scotland’s New Gender Recognition Law
Nicola Sturgeon Reacts As UK Blocks Gender Reform Bill
Stonewall Slams Attempts To Block Scotland's Gender Reforms Bill
Gender Recognition Reform Bill: Theresa May Disappointed Scotland Changes Not Considered For England
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