An Open Letter from student and apprentice groups and societies in the UK and elsewhere regarding the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Please fill in information about your students' union and which group / society you are signing the letter on behalf of.

Dear Kemi Badenoch MP, Minister for Women and Equalities

Dear Alister Jack MP, Secretary of State for Scotland

We, as trans and non-binary people and allies, are writing you today to set out our strong opposition to removing the reciprocal gender recognition arrangements for countries on the UK Government’s approved list, and to blocking the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.  

Over 350 million people in the world already live in countries that have in place a de-medicalised system of gender recognition, a system UN Special Rapporteur Victor Madrigal-Borloz has called the “most efficient and appropriate” way to realise the human rights of trans people.  

Yet while other countries like Spain or Finland seek to improve the lives of trans people by considering new laws to advance this approach, your proposals could trash the UK’s record and reputation on LGBT+ rights.  

An overwhelming majority of the Scottish Parliament, including MSPs from every party including your own, passed the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill. It is undemocratic and unjustifiable to block the legislation or deny the recognition of Gender Recognition Certificates issued in Scotland in England and Wales.  

The student movement has a long and proud history of standing up for the rights LGBT+ people – for 50 years we have campaigned, and won, change.  Collectively, we now represent over 7 million students across the UK – if you persist with these damaging proposals, we will resist.

Yours sincerely,

Nehaal Bajwa, NUS VP Liberation and Equality 

Ellie Gomersall, NUS Scotland President