Lib Dems condemn Govt decision to scrap GRA reform

Responding to reports that the Government will ban conversion therapy, but has dropped plans to simplify the gender recognition process, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Hove & Portslade Beatrice Bass, said:

"It is outrageous that the government is rowing back on their previous commitments to reform the Gender Recognition Act, in Pride Month of all months.

"The government has conducted a lengthy consultation into the reforms to the Gender Recognition Act, which has reportedly come back overwhelmingly in support of the changes. Yet the government has chosen to ignore this in favour of further discriminating against an already marginalised and vulnerable community.

"Lib Dems have a long history of standing alongside the LGBT+ community, extending freedoms and delivering real change. In the 2019 General Election the Lib Dems stood proudly and unapologetically on a platform of extending equality measures to trans people. Today's reports show that those commitments are as important as ever and we will continue to stand in solidarity with trans people."

Liberal Democrat Equalities spokesperson Christine Jardine said:

"We have fought long and hard to ban conversion therapy, but if the Conservatives think the fight for LGBT+ rights ends there, they are very wrong.

"The Liberal Democrats will always stand up for equality and human rights for all, and that includes reforming the Gender Recognition Act to make it easier for people to gain legal recognition of their gender identity.

"With trans people continuing to face discrimination, harassment, and experience lower wellbeing, shelving reform of the Gender Recognition Act will continue the suffering of far too many across the UK.

"It is time the Government stopped preventing trans people from living freely, and ensured that their rights and dignity were respected."