A bill which will make it easier for people to legally change gender has passed its first stage despite a number of MSPs voting against it.
Uddingston and Bellshill MSP Stephanie Callaghan was one of seven SNP representatives to rebel against the party's whip as a total of 88 MSPs voted for the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill over 33 against to allow the legislation to clear its first hurdle.
There were a further four abstentions and another four MSPs did not vote on Thursday, October 27.
The aftermath saw MSP Ash Regan quit as community safety minister over a matter of conscience. She later thanked "the hundreds of constituents and others across Scotland" who had supported her stance.
The move was also hailed by JK Rowling who praised Ms Regan as a "heroine" citing the bill as "misogynistic". The Harry Potter franchise writer is a long-standing critic of the gender recognition reform act.
Despite the SNP instructing its MSPs to vote in favour of the stage one bill, seven chose to rebel and oppose it, while another two abstained.
The Scottish Government plans will simplify and speed up the existing process by which people can obtain a gender recognition certificate - the legal recognition of a trans person's "acquired" gender.
At present, people must apply to a UK gender recognition panel and typically must present a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.
SNP and Green ministers have argued the current process is too difficult and invasive, and causes distress to an already marginalised and vulnerable minority group.
Its proposal would see applications handled by the Registrar General for Scotland, rather than the UK panel.
No diagnosis or medical reports would be required.
Many transgender people believe the current process for changing gender is lengthy and can cost a lot of money.
The proposals would allow trans people to self identify and remove the medical requirement element and panel process.
They would also mean the length of time living in their acquired gender would be cut from two years to three months before receiving a Gender Recognition Certificate.
SNP MSPs who rebelled against the party whip include Ash Regan; Fergus Ewing; John Mason; Kenneth Gibson; Michelle Thomson; Ruth Maguire; and Stephanie Callaghan.
Lanarkshire Live has approached local MSP Ms Callaghan who voted against the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill at stage one, however she does not wish to comment on the matter at this time.
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
