Evangelical Alliance welcomes fresh consultation on gender self-identification

 (Photo: Unsplash/Liam Macleod)

The Evangelical Alliance has welcomed the Scottish Government's plans to open a new consultation into its plans to change the law on gender recognition. 

However, it said it was "deeply concerning" that the Scottish Government wants to lower the age at which people can change gender from 18 to 16.

The Evangelical Alliance also said "greater clarity" was needed on the proposed reforms to the 2004 Gender Recognition Act, which would enable people to self-declare their gender without the need for medical or psychological requirements.

The changes would also reduce the required time of living in an acquired gender from the current two years to six months, with a three month cooling off period before the legal change is finalised. 

The first consultation received over 15,000 responses but the Scottish Government came under criticism over its failure to carry out an impact assessment on the welfare of women and girls. 

Many responses to the original consultation voiced concerns about the safety of women and girls if single-sex spaces are opened up to transgender people.

The Scottish Government announced on Friday that it was to open a second consultation into its plans and carry out a "comprehensive" Equality Impact Assessment to "ensure that all rights are protected in a balanced way".

The Evangelical Alliance said it was encouraged that the Scottish Government had listened to some of the concerns raised and that it was continuing to engage around the proposals. 

It also welcomed the Scottish Government's surprise decision to no longer recommend controversial transgender guidance for schools.

However, Kieran Turner, public policy officer for Evangelical Alliance Scotland, cautioned against introducing gender self-identification.

"We welcome the new consultation and the fact that the Scottish Government have recognised the need to reflect further in light of the many concerns about this legislation," he said. 

"We also welcome the review of youth guidance and the commitment to retain the existing protections of the Equality Act.

"However, in other areas the government are still looking to press ahead, even if, at a slower pace. While the Scottish Government want to move away from language of self-identification, that is still ultimately what is being proposed.

"Sadly, the government have failed to take the opportunity to clarify that under 18s will not be able to self-identify. We will continue to engage with the Scottish Government on this issue, providing a clear and compassionate Christian response."

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.