PRESS RELEASE : TUC Committee Statement on Gender Recognition Reform [January 2023]

The press release issued by the TUC on 19 January 2023.

We are appalled by the UK Government’s decision to block the Scotland Gender Recognition Reform Bill, legislation that simply seeks to make the process for legally recognising a trans man or trans women’s gender kinder and more straight forward.

Trade unionists are champions of equality, including equality for trans and non-binary people. And we recognise the need to change the process for gender recognition, which is often lengthy, humiliating and expensive.

We need urgent reform to the outdated and stigmatising Gender Recognition Act 2004 across the whole of the UK. We need a simplified, free, statutory gender recognition process based on self-declaration while maintaining the Equality Act 2010 as it stands.

The government must support the rights of gender non-binary people at work and in wider society.

All LGBT+ people should know that trade unions are here to defend them in the workplace and beyond. We are sending solidarity to trans people and are committed to continue fighting to defend and extend the rights of all LGBT+ workers across the UK.

TUC LGBT+ Committee