Welsh government plan to make it easier to change gender

After England blocked a Scottish-backed gender reform law, Wales has announced plans to make it easier for trans individuals to legally change their gender.

The Welsh government announced this week that it had a new LGBTQ+ Action Plan to make it easier for individuals to legally change their gender.

The news comes after the UK government blocked similar legislation put forward by Scotland.

Alongside enabled individuals to change their gender, Wales’ plan would also ban any form of conversion therapy associated with the LGBTQ+ community.

The Welsh Government finance minister, Vaughan Gething, openly criticised the UK government for blocking Scotland’s bill in January. It was the first time they had fought against legislation from another UK country in 25 years.

Gething stated that ‘anyone who believes in devolution’ should be ‘concerned’, and said the Welsh Government would like the power to legislate on trans issues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wGWYjI_0bI&ab_channel=ITVNews

UK government blocks Scottish gender recognition reforms | ITV News (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wGWYjI_0bI&ab_channel=ITVNews)

‘I actually think the trans community are being used as a wedge issue’ Gething continued, echoing Nichola Sturgeon’s comments that trans people were being weaponised – and thus dehumanised – as part of wider political debate.

Well, Gething’s wish for more mobile involvement by the Welsh government has been granted. At least in theory. Like Scotland, the Welsh plans could still be opposed by the UK parliament.

Both Wales and Scotland have proposed gender reform bills in an effort to ease the current process for changing one’s gender.

As it stands, people must apply to a UK gender recognition panel and present a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

Under the new proposed plan, transgender individuals would be able to obtain gender recognition certificates which would legally recognise their ‘acquired’ gender.

Wales also intends to ‘initiate conversations’ with the UK government to implement recognition for non-binary people on legal documents like passports and driving licences.

In a more positive step for the UK government, they have echoed Wales’ plans to ban all forms of conversion therapy in England and Wales.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO9rb-WknWw&ab_channel=GuardianNews

'Outrage' if UK blocks Scotland's gender recognition reform bill, says Nicola Sturgeon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO9rb-WknWw&ab_channel=GuardianNews)

This refers to any form of treatment that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity – most often against their will.

Welsh deputy minister for social partnership Hannah Blythyn believes the plan reflects the UK’s diverse population and legislative efforts to protect them.

‘We are absolutely committed to meaningful change for LGBTQ+ communities, creating a society and country where LGBTQ+ people are safe to live and love authentically, openly, and freely as ourselves’.

Whether the plan will find success is another story. But its intentions are promising.

It may be ambitious, but Blythyn describes it as a plan that fundamentally holds ‘hope at its heart’.

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