In a historic win for the transgender community, Scotland has passed the gender recognition law reforms easing the gender change. With this, Scotland becomes the first region of the United Kingdom to approve a self-identification process for changing gender.
The Scottish Parliament passed the Gender Recognition Reform bill on December 22. The legislation is aimed at paving a fairer, and simpler way through which a trans person can change their sex.
Under the reforms, it is easier for transgender people to change their legal gender, including removing the need for medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria and lowering the minimum age to 16 from 18.
The bill was passed by 86 votes to 39.
Other countries including Ireland, Denmark and Argentina have adopted self-identification laws earlier.
Meanwhile, Conservatives opposed the bill. Some of the women's rights campaigners have argued that the changes could pose a threat to the safety of women and girls by making it easier for predatory males to access single-sex spaces such as bathrooms, reported Reuters.
Similar laws passed in other countries had benefitted transgender people and resulted in a "remarkable" decrease in violence against them.
"I think we can all hope that trans people in Scotland will also be able to benefit from those positive outcomes as the bill removes barriers to the enjoyment of their human rights," said Shona Robison, Scotland's social justice minister.
However, Britain's Conservative government said it had concerns about the bill, including around women and children's safety, and would look at blocking it if necessary, reported Reuters.
"We will look closely at that, and also the ramifications for the 2010 Equality Act and other UK-wide legislation, in the coming weeks- up to and including a Section 35 order stopping the bill going for Royal Assent if necessary," said the British government's Scotland minister, Alister Jack.
