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| MSPs propose more than 150 changes to gender bill | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| More than 150 changes have been proposed to the new bill that would make it easier to legally change gender in Scotland. | |
| MSPs had until midday on Wednesday to submit amendments to the Gender Recognition Reform bill. | MSPs had until midday on Wednesday to submit amendments to the Gender Recognition Reform bill. |
| The legislation has already been approved in principle despite the biggest rebellion by SNP members since the party took power. | The legislation has already been approved in principle despite the biggest rebellion by SNP members since the party took power. |
| The proposed changes will now go before Holyrood's equalities committee. | The proposed changes will now go before Holyrood's equalities committee. |
| It is expected to vote on them over the next two weeks. | It is expected to vote on them over the next two weeks. |
| The Scottish government has argued that the current process for changing gender is too difficult and invasive. | The Scottish government has argued that the current process for changing gender is too difficult and invasive. |
| The new bill would remove the requirement for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria or medical reports. | The new bill would remove the requirement for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria or medical reports. |
| It would also reduce the period in which applicants need to have lived in their acquired gender to three months. | It would also reduce the period in which applicants need to have lived in their acquired gender to three months. |
| One of the most controversial proposals is to lower the minimum age that someone can apply from 18 to 16. | One of the most controversial proposals is to lower the minimum age that someone can apply from 18 to 16. |
| Anyone wanting to change their legal gender will still need to swear an oath about remaining this way for life - with it being a criminal offence to make a false declaration or application - and there would be a three-month "reflection period" before a certificate was issued. | Anyone wanting to change their legal gender will still need to swear an oath about remaining this way for life - with it being a criminal offence to make a false declaration or application - and there would be a three-month "reflection period" before a certificate was issued. |
| Most Conservatives are opposed to the legislation but Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat MSPs backed the reform bill at stage one. | Most Conservatives are opposed to the legislation but Labour, Green and Liberal Democrat MSPs backed the reform bill at stage one. |
| It was also supported by most SNP members but Ash Regan resigned as a minister and was one of seven SNP members to vote against. A further two abstained. | It was also supported by most SNP members but Ash Regan resigned as a minister and was one of seven SNP members to vote against. A further two abstained. |
| The biggest rebellion by SNP MSPs since the party took power in 2007. | The biggest rebellion by SNP MSPs since the party took power in 2007. |
| Community Safety Minister Ash Regan resigned over Scottish government plans to make it easier for someone to change their legally-recognised gender | Community Safety Minister Ash Regan resigned over Scottish government plans to make it easier for someone to change their legally-recognised gender |
| The Scottish government's Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison has responded by proposing new powers to block fraudulent applications and those from people who appear to lack sufficient understanding. | The Scottish government's Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison has responded by proposing new powers to block fraudulent applications and those from people who appear to lack sufficient understanding. |
| What are the plans for gender reforms in Scotland? | What are the plans for gender reforms in Scotland? |
| How bad is the gender reform rebellion for the SNP? | How bad is the gender reform rebellion for the SNP? |
| Others proposing amendments include SNP backbencher Christine Grahame who wants 16 and 17-year-old applicants to be required to live in their acquired gender for six months, rather than three. | Others proposing amendments include SNP backbencher Christine Grahame who wants 16 and 17-year-old applicants to be required to live in their acquired gender for six months, rather than three. |
| She also wants under-18s to demonstrate that they have sought appropriate advice. | She also wants under-18s to demonstrate that they have sought appropriate advice. |
| It is thought the Scottish government is sympathetic to Ms Grahame's proposals and has been in discussion with MSPs from across parties about other changes. | It is thought the Scottish government is sympathetic to Ms Grahame's proposals and has been in discussion with MSPs from across parties about other changes. |
| The Greens' Maggie Chapman wants to get rid of all time-related conditions, whereas Conservative amendments seek to retain the current two-year qualification period. | The Greens' Maggie Chapman wants to get rid of all time-related conditions, whereas Conservative amendments seek to retain the current two-year qualification period. |
| Tory MSPs also want to keep the requirement for a medical diagnosis and for any applicant to be at least 18 years old. | Tory MSPs also want to keep the requirement for a medical diagnosis and for any applicant to be at least 18 years old. |
| Labour MSPs want the law to make clear that it does not water down existing rights under the UK Equalities Act. | Labour MSPs want the law to make clear that it does not water down existing rights under the UK Equalities Act. |
| Labour MSP Michael Marra is also proposing that applications should be countersigned by a professional person. | Labour MSP Michael Marra is also proposing that applications should be countersigned by a professional person. |
| The final number of proposed amendments was 155. |