Jeremy Corbyn welcomes and promises to vote for new trans law

PinkNews Exclusive
Jeremy Corbyn has welcomed Conservative plans to review the Gender Recognition Act and pledged to vote for the law if it benefits trans rights.

Speaking to PinkNews, the Labour leader said that he was overjoyed that the Tories had taken inspiration from the Labour manifesto.

“I am delighted that the Government has listened to the demands of LGBT activists and is following Labour’s manifesto commitment. We will vote for any law that improves the rights of trans people,” he told PinkNews.

Speaking at the PinkNews Parliamentary reception earlier this week, Corbyn pushed for the government to review the Act which forces transgender people to endure bureaucratic tests before they can legally identify as the gender that they identify with.

He backed trans campaigners in calling for a ‘self-deceleration’ system which would eliminate many of the obstacles the current law requires including a two-year wait, therapy and medical tests which must be submitted in order to change their legal gender.

Addressing the Prime Minister at the event, Corbyn told PinkNews: “We must advance trans rights, and discrimination has gone on too long. Bring forward a Bill to update the Act and improve trans rights and Labour will back you.”

The government announced plans to review the rules in the Gender Recognition Act today (July 23).

It came after Theresa May said that the government would plan to announce reviews earlier this week in an op-ed for PinkNews.

Equalities Minister Justine Greening confirmed that the review will work to de-medicalise the process trans people must currently endure as part of a “broad consultation of the legal system that underpins gender transition, the Gender Recognition Act”.

Greening said: “This government is committed to building an inclusive society that works for everyone, no matter what their gender or sexuality and today we’re taking the next step forward.