Transgender people should be able to change their gender without the current medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria and a report detailing any medical treatment from a registered doctor, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said, reports the The Daily Telegraph.
But on Tuesday 15 September, doctors supported a motion at the BMA’s annual general meeting which called on the UK government to allow transgender and non-binary individuals to gain legal recognition of their gender by a witnessed sworn statement.
Requiring a witnessed statement, rather than a medical diagnosis, is seen as a “simplified” version of the process. Such models are already in place in countries such as the Republic of Ireland, Malta, and Denmark, according to a background briefing on the motion published by the BMA.
Dr Helena McKeown, chair of the BMA representative body, said the passing of the motion meant that the union had a BMA-wide policy giving specific attention to the needs of transgender and non-binary people for the first time.
She added: "We oppose discrimination of all kinds and are committed to ensuring universal access to healthcare for all on the basis of clinical need. Receiving any medical treatment can be stressful for patients and so it is important for individuals to receive healthcare in settings they feel comfortable with. This applies to transgender as well as cis individuals.”
The report says under the Gender Recognition Act, to legally change their gender a person must also provide proof theyʼve lived for at least two years in their chosen gender, declare they intend to live as that gender until death, a payment of £140, and, if married, their spouses consent.
[link url="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/09/15/trans-people-should-free-change-gender-without-medical-diagnosis/?"]Full report in The Daily Telegraph (Registration may be required)[/link]