Debbie Hayton Debbie Hayton

Binning ’self-ID’ is a victory for transgender women

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The government’s decision to reject ‘self-ID’ is a victory for this transgender woman. When I transitioned eight years ago, I had two ambitions: to keep my job and to stay out of the press. I achieved the first, but failed the second. However, this week’s announcement vindicates my decision to speak out.

Back in 2016, MPs debated a motion that called on the Government to:

  • change the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA) in line with the principles of gender self-declaration
  • open up the Equality Act to create a new protected characteristic of gender identity.

It sounded as though we were rushing into a world where facts would be replaced by feelings. It might have taken four years but, finally, common sense has prevailed. Liz Truss, the minister for Women and Equalities, said yesterday:

‘It is the government’s view that the balance struck in this legislation is correct, in that there are proper checks and balances in the system and also support for people who want to change their legal sex.

Written by
Debbie Hayton

Debbie Hayton is a teacher and journalist. Her book, Transsexual Apostate – My Journey Back to Reality is published by Forum

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