NI transsexuals may soon be able to marry

Transsexuals may soon be able to marry in their acquired gender in Northern Ireland as part of new legislation to protect their basic human rights, the government has said.

The Gender Recognition Bill contains clauses to give legal recognition in their acquired gender to transsexual people who can demonstrate that they have taken "decisive steps towards living fully and permanently in their acquired gender" – as opposed to the gender in which they were registered at birth.

In practical terms, it will mean that, for example, a male to female transsexual will be legally recognised as a woman in UK law.

An authorising body will look at applications and will have legal powers to assess medical evidence before a transsexual is allowed to register in the new gender.

Successful applicants will be entitled to a new birth certificate that reflects their acquired gender.

While the draft Bill as published relates only to England and Wales, Northern Ireland clauses will be included before introduction to Parliament.

Commenting on the draft, NIO Minister Ian Pearson said: “This draft Bill honours the government’s commitment to implement the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in the United Kingdom and to ensure that transsexual people are given the rights to which they are entitled. It is fundamental to a socially inclusive society that individuals and groups be given the right to live their lives as they choose, free from discrimination.

“This Bill aims to bring the United Kingdom into line with the overwhelming majority of our European partners in providing a robust and authoritative process for gender recognition that will give transsexual people the entitlements they deserve.”

(MB)