11/07/2003

Transsexuals to gain right to marry

Transsexuals will be able to marry in their acquired gender as part of new legislation to protect their basic human rights, the government has said.

The Gender Recognition Bill contains clauses to give legal recognition in their acquired gender to transsexual people who can demonstrate that they have taken "decisive steps towards living fully and permanently in their acquired gender" – as opposed to the gender in which they were registered at birth.

In practical terms, it will mean that, for example, a male to female transsexual will be legally recognised as a woman in UK law.

An authorising body will look at applications and will have legal powers to assess medical evidence before a transsexual is allowed to register in the new gender.

Successful applicants will be entitled to a new birth certificate that reflects their acquired gender.

Minister at the Department for Constitutional Affairs, Lord Filkin said: "I believe that the Gender Recognition Bill is farsighted. It honours the government's commitment to guarantee the rights of transsexual people and brings us into line with the overwhelming majority of our European partners.

"It establishes a robust and authoritative process that will sustain a credible system for the future giving transsexual people the legal recognition to which they are entitled."

(GMcG)

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