Swarms of protestors rallied on the steps outside Buchanan Galleries this morning in defiance of the UK government's decision to block Scotland's gender recognition law.
The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which would make it easier for trans people to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate, was passed by the Scottish Parliament in December.
Under the Bill, those aged 16 and 17 would be able to apply for a gender recognition certificate, but only after living in their "acquired gender" for six months rather than three months for those who are older.
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On Monday, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack announced that the UK Government would use a Section 35 order which means the Bill cannot currently progress to Royal Assent and become law.
Hundreds of protesters gathered on Buchanan Street from 11am today (January 21) with many holding placards reading "trans rights now", "trans power" and "trans liberation is liberation for all".
Groups including For Women Scotland have welcomed the intervention by the UK Government.
Co-director Susan Smith said: "We have long maintained that the GRR Bill interferes with the operation of the Equality Act across the UK. Throughout evidence sessions, the Scottish Government ignored and dismissed evidenced concerns about the potential impact of opening up this process - not, as they claimed, a simplification or a minor admin change, but a wholesale removal of checks and a granting of new rights under law.
"They made promises that were not in their gift and, shamefully, failed to protect women, even elevating the rights of sex offenders above those of their victims. They were especially cavalier about contested areas regarding the interaction with the Equality Act and the level of protections granted to GRC holders under section 22. Ms Sturgeon famously said our concerns were “not valid”, it seems that Westminster disagreed.
"Supporters of the Bill have been indignant about the possibility that the rest of the UK might refuse to accept Scottish GRCs, even though this, effectively, meant that the devolved parliament at Holyrood would be rewriting equality law across the UK without the consent of their elected representatives."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned the UK government that blocking Scotland's gender recognition reforms would be an 'outrage', the Daily Record reports.
The SNP may decide to seek judicial review, so we can expect a protracted legal battle, starting in the Court of Session in Edinburgh and likely ending up in the U.K. Supreme Court.
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