'Unfortunately, we don't think it is possible for LGBT+ folks, and especially trans+ folks, or for gender non-conforming women to be able to coexist safely with the recent Supreme Court ruling. As the UK Supreme Court can only interpret legislation by Parliament rather than strike it down, the solution is new primary legislation that amends the Equality Act to clearly set out trans-inclusive definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’, as the original writers of that Act have said they intended. This would be a good opportunity to recognise non-binary, intersex and agender folks, who deserve equal recognition and protection under the law as well.
We believe any Equality Act reform should go further, however, to protect trans+ rights more fully, and to more fully protect disabled rights which were unintentionally rolled back by the Equality Act's passing. In the current climate, we think it's vital to fully protect medical and bodily autonomy for all, including LGBT+ folks, the disabled, the pregnant, kids, and prisoners. As soon as bodily autonomy, Gillick competence, and medical consent is undermined for one group, it is undermined for us all.
We have long argued for the technical process of obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate to be de-medicalised, and to enshrine Self-ID in law, as it is in Ireland, New Zealand, and Argentina - about twenty countries in all, all without incident.
While we are extremely proud of the Lib Dem achievement of Same-Sex Marriage in the last decade, that legislation pre-dated the existence of no-fault divorce in the law, so that Act should now be amended to remove the Spousal Veto for married trans+ folks transitioning. LGBT+ couples deserve fair and equal access to IVF treatment, and this should be provided for in law as well.
We strongly feel that the ban on puberty blockers should be scrapped at once, as should plans for so-called ‘chemical castration’, which surely have no place in a civilised society. On the other hand, we welcome announcements for a trans-inclusive ban on so-called ‘conversion therapy’ and expect to strongly support proposals that actually do that.'