MSPs will debate the general principles of the Scottish Government’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill on 27 October.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Gender Recognition Act 2004: a law which allows individuals to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate to legally change gender.

• The Bill, if successful, will remove the current requirement for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and reduce the requirement to have ‘lived in’ the ‘acquired’ gender for two years to three months.
• The Bill also seeks to reduce the age at which someone can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate from 18 to 16 years.
• The Bill raises serious concerns about religious freedom, the safety, health and wellbeing of children and vulnerable people, and safe spaces for women and girls.

The Catholic Parliamentary Office has produced a briefing document to help you understand the Church’s concerns about the Bill and how you can write to your MSPs and help to stop it.