Max JossHundreds of people gathered in Glasgow on Saturday in protest against the UK Government’s decision to block Scottish gender recognition reforms.
The Rally for Trans Equality was held on the steps of the Royal Concert Hall at the top of Buchanan Street forming a large mass of campaigners.
On Tuesday, the UK Government announced it would block legislation passed at Holyrood making it easier for people to change their legally recognised gender.
Invoking the Section 35 order, Scottish secretary Alister Jack said he was “concerned the legislation would have an adverse impact on the operation of Great Britain-wide equalities legislation”.
STV NewsNicola Sturgeon branded the move a “full frontal attack on [Scottish] democracy,” adding the Scottish Government would “defend the legislation and stand up for Scotland’s Parliament”.
READ MORE: How can the UK Government block Scotland’s gender reforms?
Activists and politicians spoke at the rally in Glasgow’s city centre while those in the crowd held placards with slogans including “trans rights are human rights”, “trans liberation now”, and “hands off the GRA reform”.
However, Police Scotland has launched an investigation after reports of “hateful signs” at the rally.
Holyrood’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill would approve reforms allowing trans people to obtain a gender recognition certificate (GRC) without the need for a medical diagnosis.
It also reduces the minimum age a person can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate from 18 to 16 years old.
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