Labour Research September 2003

Features: Equality

Legal status for transsexuals

A draft Bill has been published to give transsexuals legal recognition in their acquired gender. The Gender Recognition Bill will mean that, for the first time, transsexuals who live in their new gender for two years, and satisfy a panel that they meet certain medical conditions, will be able to marry and obtain birth certificates in their acquired gender. They will also no longer have to reveal to employers that they have changed gender, and will be entitled to the same pension and employment rights as anyone else of that gender.