226/2000 26 July 2000 020 7273 4640

WORKING GROUP REPORT ON TRANSSEXUALS PUBLISHED

The report of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Transsexual People was published today by the Home Office.

The report examines the problems experienced by transsexual people and sets out three possible options for the future.

Commenting on the publication of the report Home Secretary, Jack Straw said:

"As I know from my constituency casework, the journey which individuals face when they find that they have been born with the wrong gender can be deeply distressing and depressing for them.  We have to approach their circumstances with compassion and care.  This report seeks to do just that.  We will welcome public comments on it before coming to firm conclusions on its recommendations."

Publication was announced in a written Parliamentary answer from Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak), answered by Home Office Minister Mike O’Brien.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1.  The Interdepartmental Working Group on Transsexual People was set up in April 1999.  Its terms of reference were:

"To consider, with particular reference, to birth certificates, the need for appropriate legal measures to address the problems experienced by transsexual people, having due regard to scientific and societal developments, and measures undertaken in other countries to deal with this issue."

2.  The Working Group consisted of officials from the Home Office, Department for Education and Employment, Department of Health, Department of Social Security, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Lord Chancellors Department, National Assembly for Wales, Northern Irish General Register Office, Northern Irish Office of Law Reform, Office for National Statistics, Scottish Executive and the Scottish General Register Office.

3.  Copies of the report are available on the Home Office website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/new_indexs/constitutional.htm.  A limited number of media copies are available from the Home Office press office.