Fully Repeal the Gender Recognition Act

The Government should repeal the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) 2004.

The UK has long championed the rights of LGBT+ people at home and abroad.

This Government is proud of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA) 2004 and the rights it affords to transgender people in this country. The GRA has operated for 20 years and has allowed trans people to be recognised in law. The Act enables trans people to live, work and die in their acquired gender, ensuring that trans people can live with dignity and respect.

The Gender Recognition Act 2004 is a robust piece of legislation, with appropriate checks and balances that reflect the seriousness of changing a person’s legal sex. With multiple checks, medical evidence, legal declarations and clearances, the process is extremely rigorous.

The Equality Act 2010 sets out that providers have the right to restrict use of services on the basis of sex and gender reassignment in certain circumstances where it is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. This includes those with Gender Recognition Certificates. The Government is proud of the Equality Act and the rights and protections it affords women, and we will continue to support the use of its single-sex exceptions by providers.

In our manifesto, we committed to modernising gender recognition law whilst retaining the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. We believe this strikes the right balance. We will also uphold the Equality Act and its provisions on single-sex exceptions. This Government is steadfast in its dedication to protecting all its citizens irrespective of their sex, gender, or any other characteristic.

Cabinet Office