How should you fill it in?
February 1999
For most people, the ten-yearly census is just another form to fill in … but for thousands of trans people around the country, it raises yet again the question of how to legally and truthfully answer the question about sex.
Because UK law does not fully recognise trans people in their true gender, the possibility arose that once again, it would be impossible to provide a truthful answer which also matched legal requirements. There is a legal obligation to complete the census form accurately, so trans people faced an unpleasant dilemma.
However, this letter from the Office of National Statistics (in response to an enquiry from Press For Change campaigner Paula Thomas) makes it clear that trans people can now give an answer which is both truthful and legal:
- Trans women should record their sex as female if they believe that to be correct, even though their birth certificates will still say ’male’
- Trans men should record their sex as male if they believe that to be correct, even though their birth certificates will still say ’female’.
MARGARET WORT Our Ref:W1 1 00/024 Date: 14 December 1998 Ms Paula Thomas address deleted Dear Ms Thomas Thank you for your email of 13 December 1998 concerning the completion of the 2001 Census form. The White Paper on the 2001 Census, which details the Government’s plans and the proposed questions for the Census, will not be published until mid January 1999. Should there be the traditional question on the individual’s Sex in the 2001 Census, it would be reasonable for you to respond by ticking either the ’Male’ or ’Female’ box whichever you believe to be correct, irrespective of the details recorded on your birth certificate. Yours sincerely |
