SCOTLAND’s controversial Gender Recognition Reform Bill debate and voting has been delayed.
The Scottish Parliament was scheduled to vote on the proposal on Wednesday (21).
But because MSP (Member of Scottish Parliaments)s were still considering potential amendments to the bill late into the evening, it was decided to postpone the vote. When the vote takes place, it is still anticipated that the revisions will have the support of the majority of MSPs.
It was expected to pass the controversial Gender Recognition Reform Bill which will make it easier for transgender persons to change their recorded gender.
A medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria will no longer be required in order to get a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) under the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.
The applicant’s minimum age would also be lowered to 16 and the applicant’s time living in their acquired gender would be reduced from two years to three months (or six months for those aged between 16 and 17), albeit there would be a three month reflection period.
After a marathon session of parliament yesterday, MSPs will discuss the last of the 153 amendments submitted at stage three of the bill before a final vote this afternoon.
Protests from the public gallery disrupted the meeting with opponents of the bill shouting “shame on all of you” when an amendment that would have made it more difficult for sex offenders to apply for a GRC was defeated.
The Scottish Tories also seemed to be trying to drag out the proceedings by introducing four amendments to the agenda, forcing a vote on the timetable for amendment consideration, calling for a second motion to be voted on by MSPs, and bringing up several points of order before the debate on the amendments even started.
Even when the person who proposed the revisions did not, the party decided to put the proposals to a vote.
Since devolution, it has been one of Holyrood’s most divisive measures.
While the Scottish government has stated it won’t affect the Equality Act, which permits trans individuals to be prohibited from single-sex areas like changing rooms and shelters in some cases, opponents have expressed worries about its impact on the safety of women and girls.
The anticipated approval of the bill, which has the backing of the SNP (Scottish National Party), Greens, Labour, and Lib Dems, may result in more disciplinary actions being taken against SNP members after seven of the party’s MSPs abstained at stage one and two others voted against it.
Subscribe for our weekly news letter here!
You can unsubscribe us at any time
