Jeremy Corbyn tells Theresa May to scrap 'invasive' tests for trans people
The Labour leader said his party would support any government legislation on the matter, removing the need for DUP backing
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jeremy Corbyn has said transgender people should be allowed to self-identify without facing medical checks, telling Theresa May Labour would support any law change proposed by the government.
The Labour leader was addressing an event held to honour the 50th anniversary of the legislation brought forward in 1967 that decriminalised certain aspects of homosexuality in England and Wales.
Mr Corbyn said: “Discrimination has gone on too long. The Gender Recognition Act does not allow trans people to self-identify their gender and forces them to undergo invasive medical tests. This is wrong,” he said.
“Labour recognised this in our manifesto, pledging to update the act. Theresa May told Pink News that ‘changes need to be made’ but failed to include anything on this in the Conservative manifesto.
“So, I say to her today, Labour will help you keep your promise. Bring forward a bill to update the act and improve trans rights and Labour will back you. You can give your MPs and the DUP a free vote and Labour will make it law.”
At the same event, held in Speaker's House within the Westminster parliamentary estate, Speaker John Bercow also said the Church of England should allow churches to perform gay marriage ceremonies.
“There’s always a balance to be struck – we don’t want to behave as though it’s all over, that everything has been done ... Because that isn’t true I still feel that we can only really have equal marriage when you can bloody well get married in a church if you want to do so,” he said.
Earlier this year, Conservative backbencher and new Treasury Select Committee chair Nicky Morgan introduced a bill seeking to protect transgender people from the unintended public disclosure of their former names.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments