Clause 2 - Determination of applications
Gender Recognition Bill [Lords]
3:00 pm
Mr David Lammy (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs; Tottenham, Labour)
I endorse and confirm what has been helpfully said by the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon. I would add that the Government included the words ''or has had'' to cover the situation of a person who was diagnosed with gender dysphoria and has since continued through the process, as we expect people to do to live fully in their acquired gender. As the person is now living fully in the acquired gender, it may not be accurate to say that the person has gender dysphoria. The gender dysphoria has been dealt with. In order to ensure that such a person could apply for recognition, the words ''or has had'' were included.
We had a debate this morning about the groups of people who may seek to apply for a gender recognition certificate. The hon. Member for Daventry will understand that a group of people who choose to go through the fast-track procedure will have moved
beyond the gender dysphoria that they had to a new life in an acquired gender, which they have had for many years. People undergoing treatment will seek to make applications. The Bill is designed to address the different contexts in which the panel will need carefully to examine the evidence. On that basis, I hope that the hon. Gentleman is able to withdraw the amendment.