On International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) national youth organisations from across the political spectrum have come together to sign a letter in support of reform of the Gender Recognition Act.

The letter, signed by Children in Scotland, SNP Students, Scottish Labour Students, Scottish Young Liberals, Scottish Young Greens, Scottish Youth Parliament and NUS Scotland says:

“We, the undersigned, are national youth and student organisations that want to express our support and solidarity to trans people across Scotland, and call for reform of the Gender Recognition Act.

When the Gender Recognition Act was passed in 2004, it was considered world-leading because it didn’t require trans people to be sterilised before gaining legal recognition of their gender. In the years that have passed, understanding and knowledge of trans rights has changed quickly, and as other countries have passed legal recognition laws to reflect this, Scotland’s has fallen behind standards set elsewhere.

We want this to change, and note the manifesto pledges of all the political parties in the Scottish Parliament. We support reform of the Gender Recognition Act to bring it in-line with international best practice. This means a system of self-declaration open to those who are 16 and over, that legally recognises non-binary people, and that allows children and young people under 16 a means of obtaining legal recognition.

We think it’s time for a law that reflects our understanding of what trans equality looks like. We think it’s time for a law that reflects Scotland’s ambitions in 2019 of being modern, inclusive, and welcoming to all.”

Scottish Youth Parliament	Scottish Young Greens	Scottish Young Liberals
Scottish Labour Students	SNP Students	Children in Scotland
NUS Scotland

Vic Valentine, Policy Officer at Scottish Trans Alliance, said: “We’re delighted that these important student and young people’s organisations have come together on IDAHOBIT to support reforming the Gender Recognition Act. This law needs urgently updating, to ensure all trans people can have legal recognition of who we are without having to engage with an expensive, complicated, and dehumanising process. When the Scottish Government consulted on reforming this law last year, a clear majority was in favour of all of the changes this letter calls for.”

Paul Daly, Senior Practitioner of LGBT Youth Scotland, said: “Young people talk to us about the impacts of GRA reform and the hopes they have for the future. They want to see a progressive Scotland and legislation that truly reflects their needs and experiences. 

Trans young people are acutely aware of negative messages and misinformation regarding the proposed changes. They strongly feel that trans women ARE women, trans men ARE men and that non-binary people have a right to be recognised. Importantly, this is having a significant impact on their lives – they tell us that this is hurtful and they feel like their identities are not valued. ”