Gender Recognition Act reforms passed by MSPs despite biggest ever SNP rebellion 🔴 The age at which people can apply to change their gender in Scotland will be lowered from 18 to 16
Trans rights groups believe there are currently too many barriers for those who want to change gender People in Scotland who want to legally change their gender will be able to do so more easily and from an earlier age, after the plans were approved by MSPs despite an SNP rebellion.will be lowered from 18 to 16, with the length of time they must live in their new gender cut from two years to six months.
The rebels included Ash Regan, who resigned as a Scottish Government minister hours before the debate began, saying her “conscience” would not allow her to support the reforms. In doing so, she became the first SNP minister to resign over government policy since the party came to power in 2007. Other SNP rebels included former minister Fergus Ewing as well as Ruth Maguire, Kenneth Gibson, Stephanie Callaghan, Michelle Thomson and John Mason.
Only two Conservatives backed the plans after being given a free vote, but Labour, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats all voted in favour. The general principles of the legislation were approved by 88 votes to 33.