Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill: A consultation

Overview

The consultation on the draft Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill closed for responses on March 17 2020.  The Scottish Government thanks everyone who submitted a response. 

Just over 17,000 responses were received through Citizen Space or by post.

An independent analysis of all responses to the consultation has now been published, alongside responses from organisations and groups that gave permission for this to be published. These can be found here:

• Analysis report
• Group responses

The Scottish Government continues to have a strong commitment to reform the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and improve the current process for trans people.  It also remains committed to improving the lives of trans and non-binary people more generally.  Trans people continue to suffer poorer outcomes relative to the wider population, and this needs to change.  

Why your views matter

Consultation is an essential part of the policy-making process.

In the Fairer Scotland Action Plan, the Scottish Government committed to 'review and reform gender recognition law so it is in line with international best practice for people who are transgender '.

Following on a consultation published in 2017 on the principles of reform, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People announced in the Scottish Parliament in June 2019 that there would be a further consultation, this time on a draft Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.  This is to allow all stakeholders the opportunity to consider and respond to specific proposals.

Respondents may submit their response using Citizen Space or by making a response in writing (not by email).  Further details about where to send a hard copy response can be found in the consultation.

Please ensure that your consultation responses are submitted by 17 March 2020.

Read the consultation paper 

What happens next

The Scottish Government will introduce a Gender Recognition Reform Bill in the first year of this Parliament.