Submission from the Beaumont Society
Dear Miss Henshaw, INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON TRANSSEXUALS. Thank you for your letter dated 14 June 1999 regarding the Working Groups consideration of birth certificates. We are gratified that the needs and rights of transsexual people are at last being addressed. However, you will no doubt be aware that the responses from transsexual people to the consultation paper (Legislation Regarding Discrimination On Grounds Of Transsexualism In Employment), issued by the Department for Education and Employment in January last year, were very critical of what appeared to be a lack of knowledge and understanding by those charged with preparing the paper. We hope that your deliberations will be based on sound research. We view the current activity as an opportunity for legislators and those who are to gather the evidence on their behalf to consult widely; particularly with individuals and organisations which have relevant experience of the vulnerability of transsexual people in society at large. The matter of birth certificates raises significant issues of individual privacy and dignity. Production of a birth certificate is required in many circumstances during a person’s life. We are of the opinion that it is essential for the UK to support its transsexual citizens so that they are not disadvantaged by the present inflexible method of recording birth and gender details. Prejudice and discrimination are cruel opponents in any walk of life and we strongly urge the Home Secretary to provide protection for transsexual people based on understanding, fairness and justice. The growing number of legal cases involving transsexual people’s rights being considered both in this country and in the European Courts must surely confirm that meaningful reform and harmonisation of current legislation are long overdue. Yours sincerely,
OCR’d and proof read by Claire Ashton |