Is Liz Truss seeking to emulate Scotland’s hate crime bill?

Beware a government appearing to do the right thing. Liz Truss, minister for women and equalities, released a statement this morning that appears to do the right thing on reform of the Gender Recognition Act (GRA). Trans activists wanted the 2004 law changed in three key ways: 1) Remove the requirement for a medical diagnosis and allow individuals to legally change their gender by self-declaration, 2) extend this to those who wish to be recognised as ‘non-binary’ rather than male or female, and 3) lower the age at which a person can do these things to 16. Gender campaigners got a good way down the path to victory before the radical nature of their proposals gained mainstream traction and provoked a backlash and, on the face of it, Truss’s statement has dealt the death blow to their plans. 

The minister has determined that ‘the balance struck in the existing legislation is correct’ and that ‘proportionate checks and balances’ are in place in the current system.