Scotland: MSPs approve plans to lower legal gender change age

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
Major UK supermarket clothing brands fall behind Primark in ethical fashion rankings
Major UK supermarket clothing brands fall behind Primark in ethical fashion rankings

BMS said that even the highest-rated companies have considerable room for improvement.

Fresh violence in Manipur leaves four dead as security is tightened
Fresh violence in Manipur leaves four dead as security is tightened

Security forces have stepped up operations in affected areas amid fears of further unrest.

Church of England faces ‘financial disaster’ without radical cuts, academics warn
Church of England faces ‘financial disaster’ without radical cuts, academics warn

A new report argues that dioceses have been strengthened at the expense of ordinary parishes.

Southwell Minster faces closure amid £20m funding crisis
Southwell Minster faces closure amid £20m funding crisis

Southwell Minster is seeking urgent financial support to keep its doors open after decades of underinvestment that has left it needing around £20m to safeguard its historic building and grounds.