Gender recognition certificates remain important despite Supreme Court ruling

The head of Britain's Equality and Human Rights Commission said gender recognition certificates remain important after the Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of sex; official data show a record 1,987 applications in the year to September.

Eight months after the Supreme Court's April ruling on the legal definition of sex, Britain's Equality and Human Rights Commission says gender recognition certificates (GRCs) remain important. The court confirmed how the terms in the 2010 Equality Act refer to biological sex. The commission's chair, Mary-Ann Stephenson, highlighted that certificates still matter for legal matters such as marriage and burial in a legally acquired sex. Official data show 1,987 applications for GRCs in the year to September, the highest annual total on record. What is known: - The Supreme Court ruled in April that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act refer to biological sex. - Mary-Ann Stephenson, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said GRCs remain important for legal rights including the right to marry and to be buried in a legal sex. - There were 1,987 applications for gender recognition certificates in the year to September, a record total for any 12-month period. - The commission provided draft guidance on single-sex services to the Government and is awaiting ministers’ response; the guidance requires ministerial approval and would come into force 40 days after it is laid in Parliament. Summary: The Supreme Court ruling has clarified the legal definition of sex under the Equality Act while officials say GRCs continue to secure certain legal rights. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has sent draft guidance to the Government and is waiting for a response; final publication requires ministerial approval and the guidance would take effect 40 days after being laid in Parliament.