Nicky Morgan: UK government open to letting people ‘self-declare’ their gender

[traci_k]

Nicky Morgan: UK government open to letting people 'self-declare' their gender

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/10/28/nicky-morgan-uk-government-open-to-letting-people-self-declare-their-gender/

Pink News
Nick Duffy
October 28, 2015

Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan has signalled that she is "open" to the idea of allowing people to self-declare their gender.

At present in the UK, transgender people have to pass a number of bureaucratic hurdles in order to have their new gender legally recognised.

In order to gain a Gender Recognition Certificate, a transgender person is required to pay a £140 fee, get opinions from two medical professionals, submit 'proof' of living in their gender for two years, and convince a Gender Recognition Panel that their change is permanent.
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If this goes through it would be wonderful for our UK Trans brothers and sisters. Keep an eye on this one.

[suzifrommd]

Ireland already has it. Personally, I think anything else is paternalistic. Why should I need a doctor to tell me who I am?

[warlockmaker]

I know the hurdles that the UK places on gender change, as I need to change my passport gender. I have been following this story for quite some time hoping to save me alot of hassles, choose your own gender would be wonderful. I do not live in the UK, so the easy way is SRS done overseas and apply for a new passport after the SRS. I had a UK TG tell me that the only reason that the NHS did SRS was because of the suicide rates, otherwise they are not very liberal. And the 2 year rule has to be carefully documented with therapists etc. Vote yea for this change......

[Arielle]

@Warlockmaker

I got my passport gender changed when I renewed by following the normal process. I did a Fast Track before last Christmas, and it all worked out fine. I followed the Transgender guidance and didn't have any problems even though I live in another country, my new passport was issued a few days later. They'll tell you at the appointment if your new passport can be issued or not, they had me waiting for while all the paperwork and rules were verified. There is guidance on the site.

[warlockmaker]

Arielle, I will be living in Bangkok after my surgery for a year. I have a Retirement visa for Thailand, which you can get after 50 years old and if you know the ways of the Thai's then its processed within 24 hours. I was going to apply for a gender change after surgery to the UK embassy in Bangkok and I hope its as quick as you say. I already have contacted them from my home city and they have assigned me a person to handle this.  Thank you