Trans people can now change the gender on their passports without a medical letter, government announces

Activists have argued that the current process requiring medical proof is offensive and can be upsetting for transgender people

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Transgender people no longer need to present medical evidence to change their gender on their passports.

Until now the process required a letter from their doctor or medical consultant confirming that the change was going to be permanent. This was considered by the women and equalities select committee to "medicalise” an administrative matter, and in a new report it has confirmed that the measure will be dropped.

The announcement will be welcomed by activists, who have argued that demanding medical proof is offensive and can be upsetting for transgender people.

Nicky Morgan, Minister for Women and Equalities said: “Nobody should suffer discrimination, harassment or bullying because of who they are. As a country we have come a long way in terms of lesbian, gay and bisexual equality, but of course we have much further to go.

“I am confident that the initiatives set out here will help make this a reality and improve the lives of transgender people – but this is just the start and we still have much to learn.”

LGBT organisation Stonewall welcomed the decision, stating that “The acknowledgement that gender dysphoria is not a mental illness is an important step forward, as is the recognition of non-binary identities and a commitment to reviewing how the NHS supports trans people”.

The select committee report also responded to call for an ‘X’ option on passports, for to tick instead of male or female. Currently offered in Australia, it allows those who don’t identify with either gender to be recognised. But it doesn't look like it will be arriving in Britain anytime soon. “UK law only recognises male and female genders,” the report says, “and to introduce a third category denoted by an ‘X’ in the passport would require a change in primary legislation”.