Scotland: MSPs approve plans to lower legal gender change age

 (Photo: Getty/iStock)

MSPs have backed the Scottish government's plans to lower the age at which Scots can change their legal gender. 

An amendment was passed during a marathon debate in Holyrood on Tuesday night which will allow 16 and 17 year olds to apply for a gender recognition certificate. 

It was one of over 150 proposed amendments to the Gender Recognition Act being debated by MSPs ahead of a final vote that was due to take place on Wednesday. 

Tuesday's debate got through only 64 of the amendments before lights went out in the chamber just after midnight, forcing the session to a close. 

The remaining amendments will be debated on Wednesday afternoon. It is not clear when the final vote on the Bill will take place. 

If passed, the legislation will make it easier for Scots to change their legal gender by removing the requirement of medical evidence and reducing the time applicants must live in their chosen gender from two years to three months - or six months for 16 and 17 year olds. 

The plans have divided MSPs and been strongly opposed by Christians.

The Christian Institute's Deputy Director for Communications, Ciarán Kelly, warned that the legislation stands to "cause even greater misery and confusion for children and their families".

"Children need protecting from radical gender ideology and the obvious and best thing to do is to remove 16 and 17-year-olds from the legislation completely," he said.

In November, the Equality and Human Rights Commission advised against lowering the legal age for a gender recognition certificate. 

In a briefing to MSPs, the equalities watchdog noted that the legal age in Scotland for issues "of less significance" like driving, buying alcohol and getting a tattoo is over 16.

News
10 crimes a day against UK churches, reports Countryside Alliance
10 crimes a day against UK churches, reports Countryside Alliance

Thousands of crimes were committed against church properties in 2025, the Countryside Alliance has reported. 

The rise of 'full-fat' Christianity?
The rise of 'full-fat' Christianity?

Even if the "Quiet Revival" report has been discredited, many Christians still agree that something still seems to be going on.

Paramedic who secretly administered abortion drugs to lover is struck off
Paramedic who secretly administered abortion drugs to lover is struck off

It is not the first time a man has secretly administered abortion drugs to a pregnant girlfriend.

Quoting the Bible from space
Quoting the Bible from space

Recently, Christian astronaut Victor Glover was reminded of the memorable Christmas Eve reading from Genesis on Apollo 8 in 1968, and he was asked to give an Easter message from Artemis II. This is the story …