Reform of the Gender Recognition Act

Women and Equalities Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 28 Oct 2020 Closed: 12 Dec 2022 Parliament page
The Government has published its proposals for changes to the gender recognition process and set out how it plans to move forward. The Women and Equalities Committee will examine these proposals, gathering evidence on whether the Government’s proposed changes are the right ones and whether they go far enough. This … Read more
24 Recommendations
6 Conclusions
1 Report
6 Oral sessions
31 Letters
6 Events
Activity timeline 39 events
13 Jul
2022
Correspondence
29 Mar
2022
Correspondence
24 Mar
2022
Report published
24 Mar
2022
Correspondence
3 Mar
2022
Correspondence
28 Jan
2022
Correspondence
21 Dec
2021
Report published
16 Jul
2021
Correspondence
14 Jul
2021
Correspondence
8 Jul
2021
Correspondence
7 Jul
2021
Correspondence
30 Jun
2021
Correspondence
Oral evidence sessions 6 sessions
16 Jun 2021
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Jo Churchill MP · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Melanie Field OBE · Equality and Human Rights Commission The Baroness Falkner of Margravine · Equality and Human Rights Commission
12 May 2021
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Reform of the Gender Recognition Act
Dr Harriet Hutchinson · Action for Trans Health Durham Dr John Chisholm CBE · British Medical Association Dr Michael Brady · NHS England John Stewart · NHS England Leigh Chislett · 56 Dean Street
21 Apr 2021
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Dr Judith Green · Woman's Place UK Dr Nicola Williams · Fair Play for Women Raquel Rosario-Sanchez · FiLiA
17 Mar 2021
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Cat Burton · Gender Identity Research and Education Society Dr Jane Hamlin · Beaumont Society Lui Asquith · Mermaids Nancy Kelley · Stonewall
10 Feb 2021
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Karon Monaghan QC · Matrix Chambers Naomi Cunningham · Outer Temple Chambers Robin White · Old Square Chambers Sally Brett · The Law Society
9 Dec 2020
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Dr Kathleen Stock · University of Sussex Dr Ruth Pearce · Trans Learning Partnership Professor Alex Sharpe · University of Warwick Professor Alice Sullivan · University College, London Professor Rosa Freedman · University of Reading School of Law Professor Stephen Whittle OBE · Manchester Metropolitan University
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third report- Reform of the Gender Recognition Act HC 977 21 Dec 2021 30 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
Clear
5 Recommendation Rejected
Third report- Reform of the Gender…
The Government’s reforms should improve the process for transgender people, whilst ensuring the appropriate safeguards...
The Government’s reforms should improve the process for transgender people, whilst ensuring the appropriate safeguards for those with concerns. The Government should bring back an action plan for reform to the Gender Recognition Act within 12 72 Reform of the … Read more
Government Response
The government explicitly rejected the recommendation for an action plan to reform the Gender Recognition Act, stating its September 2020 position on spousal consent, living in acquired gender, and diagnosis requirements remains correct and provides robust checks and balances. They clarified that the consultation was not a referendum and ministerial decisions stand.
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10 Recommendation Rejected
Third report- Reform of the Gender…
The Government should remove the diagnosis of gender dysphoria from the Gender Recognition Act by...
The Government should remove the diagnosis of gender dysphoria from the Gender Recognition Act by 2023, reflecting the support for this in responses to its own consultation. It must ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place when doing so, including … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects removing the diagnosis of gender dysphoria from the Gender Recognition Act, stating its current position is appropriate and that diagnosis requirements ensure a robust process. It will amend the reference to 'disorder' but not the diagnosis requirement itself, and highlights existing safeguards.
Government Equalities Office
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11 Recommendation Rejected
Third report- Reform of the Gender…
There are significant problems with the requirement to have lived in the acquired gender.
There are significant problems with the requirement to have lived in the acquired gender. There is no clear, accepted or agreed definition of what living like a man or a woman is. This makes it difficult for a person to … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation to remove the requirement to have lived in the acquired gender, stating its September 2020 position on evidential requirements in the GRA remains appropriate and robust. They clarified that the assessment relies on routine documentary evidence rather than gender stereotypes.
Government Equalities Office
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12 Recommendation Rejected
Third report- Reform of the Gender…
The requirement for an applicant legally transitioning to complete a statutory declaration is an essential...
The requirement for an applicant legally transitioning to complete a statutory declaration is an essential safeguard which ensures that they are doing so with genuine intent. We believe this requirement must be retained. We accept that there are cases where … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects amending the wording of the statutory declaration, stating that its current position, including the evidential and diagnosis requirements in the Gender Recognition Act, strikes the correct balance and ensures a robust process.
Government Equalities Office
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13 Recommendation Rejected
Third report- Reform of the Gender…
We have carefully considered the arguments for and against the spousal consent provision.
We have carefully considered the arguments for and against the spousal consent provision. The choice to transition by one spouse can, for some, fundamentally change the nature of the relationship and the marriage contract. The spouse of the person transitioning … Read more
Government Response
The government rejected the committee's implicit recommendation that spousal consent or annulment should not cause delay in obtaining a GRC. It maintained that its existing position, set out in September 2020, is correct, asserting that the current legislation strikes the right balance with proper checks and balances.
Government Equalities Office
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17 Recommendation Rejected
Third report- Reform of the Gender…
Transparency around the operation and decision-making of the Gender Recognition Panel is a concern to...
Transparency around the operation and decision-making of the Gender Recognition Panel is a concern to many people applying for a Gender Recognition Certificate. It is clear to us that the existence of the Panel itself can, at times, discourage people … Read more
Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation to replace the Gender Recognition Panel or conduct a review of its structure, stating it is satisfied the Panel is fulfilling its duties and that a replacement would not be appropriate. It highlights existing efforts to simplify the application process.
Government Equalities Office
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30 Recommendation Rejected
Third report- Reform of the Gender…
When the previous Government launched its consultation into the reform of the Gender Recognition Act,...
When the previous Government launched its consultation into the reform of the Gender Recognition Act, it explicitly stated that one of its aims was to gather evidence to further advance equality for non-binary and intersex people. The LGBT Action Plan … Read more
Government Response
The government stated its position that no changes are needed to the Gender Recognition Act (GRA), asserting that UK law defines individuals as male or female on their birth certificate. While acknowledging its previous work exploring experiences of VSC and non-binary people, the government essentially rejected the recommendation to clarify barriers to legal recognition for non-binary people, by stating it won't be implementing such changes.
Government Equalities Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 30 of 24 classified
Accepted 3
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 1
Not Addressed 15
Rejected 7
Total 24 recs + 6 conclusions
Correspondence 31 letters
13 Jul 2022 To committee Letter from then Secretary of State for Health and Social Care regarding The Gender Recognition (Disclosure of Information) (England) Order 2022, dated 28 June 2022
Parliament page
29 Mar 2022 Correspondence to the Chair from the Minister for Equalities in response to our letter relating to the Government’s response to the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act inquiry
Parliament page
24 Mar 2022 Correspondence from the Chair to the Minister for Equalities relating to Government’s response to the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act inquiry
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3 Mar 2022 Correspondence to Elliot Colburn MP from the Minister for Equalities relating to the Westminster Hall debate on the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act
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28 Jan 2022 Correspondence to the Chair from the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission relating to our inquiry into the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act
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16 Jul 2021 Correspondence to the Chair from the Director of Specialist Commissioning relating to our inquiry into the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act
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14 Jul 2021 Correspondence to the Chair from the Minister for Equalities relating to our inquiry into the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act
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8 Jul 2021 Correspondence to the Chair from the Leader of the House of Commons relating to ministerial attendance at the GRA evidence session
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7 Jul 2021 Correspondence to the Chair from the Speaker relating to the ministerial attendance at Select Committee evidence sessions
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30 Jun 2021 Correspondence to the Chair of the Liaison Committee from the Chair relating to attendance of GEO Ministers
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30 Jun 2021 Correspondence to the Leader of the House from the Chair relating to attendance of GEO Ministers
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30 Jun 2021 Correspondence to the Speaker from the Chair relating to attendance of GEO Ministers
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29 Jun 2021 Correspondence to the Minister for Equalities from the Chair relating to our inquiry into the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act
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11 Jun 2021 To committee Letter from Minister for Equalities regarding the inquiry on Reform of the Gender Recognition Act
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11 Jun 2021 To committee Letter from Chair to Minister for Equalities regarding the inquiry on Reform of the Gender Recognition Act
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21 May 2021 Correspondence from the Minister for Equalities to the Chair relating to her invitation to give evidence on the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act inquiry
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21 Jan 2021 To committee Letter from the Chair to Judge Paula Gray with follow-up questions for the inquiry on the Gender Recognition Act
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13 Jan 2021 From committee Letter to the Chair of the Committee from the EHRC relating to the Reform of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 inquiry
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9 Dec 2020 Correspondence to the EHRC from the Chair in response to correspondence on GRA inquiry
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27 Nov 2020 Correspondence from the EHRC to the Chair regarding the Gender Recognition Act
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16 Oct 2020 Correspondence from the Chair to the Minister of Women and Equalities relating to reform of the Gender Recognition Act
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15 Oct 2020 To committee Letter from the Minister for Women and Equalities relating to refrm of the Gender Recognition Act
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22 Sep 2020 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State Elizabeth Truss MP to the Chair regarding the next steps in the GRA 22.09.20
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22 Sep 2020 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State responding to Caroline Noakes regarding the GRA
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18 Sep 2020 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State Elizabeth Truss MP to the Chair regarding the GRA 18.09.2020
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8 Sep 2020 To committee Letter from the Chair to thr Secretary of State Elizabeth Truss MP regarding the GRA
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1 Sep 2020 To committee Letter from the Chair to Elizabeth Truss concerning Reform of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA)
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2 Aug 2020 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State to WEC Chir regarding the GRA
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23 Jul 2020 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Minister for Women and Equalities concerning reform of the Gender Recognition Act
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1 Jul 2020 To committee Letter from the Minister for Women and Equalites to the Chair, concerning reform of the Gender Recognition Act
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24 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Minister for Women and Equalites, concerning reform of the Gender Recognition Act
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