Liz Truss denies reports that she is abandoning transgender law reforms Liz Truss has previously called for more ‘free speech’ on transgender issues

Equalities minister Liz Truss is committed to completing a review into the way transgender people are treated in law, a source has said.

The Mail on Sunday had reported that Ms Truss is set to abandon plans to overhaul gender recognition laws, which would allow transgender people to more easily gain legal recognition in their chosen gender.

A consultation on the issue was launched under former prime minister Theresa May in 2018, but the results have still not been published nearly a year after its conclusion.

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The newspaper reported that the issue would be “kicked into the long grass” by Ms Truss, who was handed control of the equalities brief in September, when Amber Rudd quit the Cabinet. Ms Truss has previously called for more “free speech” on transgender issues.

However, a source close to Ms Truss, who is also International Trade Secretary, told PA news agency she is committed to releasing the results of the consultation.

Committed

“The Secretary of State is committed to following through with the consultation in due course,” the source told PA.

A Government Equalities Office (GEO) spokesperson said: “The Secretary of State has only recently taken on this brief and will be carefully considering all responses and the next steps. These will be announced in due course.

“It is vital that the next steps on any potential reform of the Gender Recognition Act are carefully planned, and have the right backing so they can have a positive impact on the trans community in the UK.

“We had more than 100,000 responses to our consultation and have met with 140 organisations to ensure that we have taken into account views and concerns from all sides of the debate.”

Under the existing Gender Recognition Act, a trans person has to pay £140 submit evidence to a specialist panel, and undergo a two-year waiting period before being able to change their gender legally.

Legal recognition does not alter a person’s rights to protection from discrimination or access to services, which the Equality Act states should be based on a person’s gender identity with limited exemptions.

Parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee had backed plans to overhaul the process and eliminate many of the hurdles, but changes encountered strong resistance from some politicians and lobby groups.

Self-determination system

Meanwhile, some LGBT campaigners have called for the current system to be scrapped entirely and replaced with a system that would allow trans people to self-identify their gender, as exists in Ireland and other countries.

Laura Russell, of LGBT charity Stonewall, said: “Currently trans people must go through a lengthy and demeaning process to have their gender legally recognised. It’s not just distressing, it’s complex, costly and inaccessible to many trans people.

“Replacing this process with a system of self-determination would be life-changing for many trans people and a crucial step towards ensuring the UK’s gender recognition laws are in line with international best practice.

“[Gender Recognition Act] reform needs to be an urgent priority so trans people can be recognised for who they are.

“Any further delay will allow more fear and misinformation to spread and trans people have suffered far too long from inequalities that can be easily removed.”

Labour’s shadow equalities minister Dawn Butler said: “Boris Johnson’s Government have failed to publish the consultation results and are deliberately creating a hostile environment for transgender people.

“We must put a stop to this irresponsible behaviour. Almost half of trans people in Britain have attempted suicide at least once and 84 per cent have thought about it.

“A Labour government will help save lives not ruin them. We will champion rights for LGBT+ communities across the UK and reform the Gender Recognition Act.”

Additional reporting by Press Association