If it comes to power, the Labor Party plans to streamline the transition process.
Sky News understands the party wants to abolish the current two-year waiting period for a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC), and instead introduce a “cooling off period” of a similar length after applying for a GRC.
This mirrors a similar policy the party proposed earlier this year.
This follows J.K. Rowling’s intervention on Friday night, criticising Labour’s position (more here).
Current rules require people to show evidence of two years of living as a different gender before they can get a GRC.
A diagnosis of gender dysphoria would still be required, but this would be done by a single specialist doctor, rather than the current system which requires a panel of clinicians and lawyers.
Sky News understands it would also remove the requirement that transgender people need spousal consent to change their gender.
A Labour spokesman said: “Labour will modernise, simplify and reform the intrusive and outdated Gender Recognition Act.”
“We will eliminate stigma against transgender people, who deserve recognition and acceptance, while maintaining the requirement for specialist diagnosis of gender dysphoria and allowing access to medical care.”
“The UK is a reasonable and tolerant society and most people know that there is a small number of people whose gender does not match the sex they were born with.
“Labour’s plans will protect single-sex spaces, treat everyone with respect and dignity, maintain the current two-year time limit for gender recognition and ensure strong provisions are in place to protect legitimate applications.”
