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Daily Record
Politics
Peter Davidson

'Shame on you' Scottish Parliament suspended as protesters react to gender reform vote

Protesters against gender reform forced proceedings at the Scottish Parliament to be temporarily halted today after they shouted at MSPs.

The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed by 86 votes to 39 after two days of lengthy debate on the legislation.

While supporters of the reforms led a round of applause, opponents of the legislation turned their anger in the direction of MSPs - with cries of "shame" ringing down the public gallery.

The Bill will remove the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria to obtain a gender recognition certificate (GRC).

It would also lower the minimum age for applicants to 16 and drop the time required for an applicant to live in their acquired gender from two years to three months - six for those aged 16 and 17 - though with a three-month reflection period.

Opponents of the Bill have said it could endanger women and girls and put single-sex spaces at risk, something the Scottish Government has repeatedly denied.

After the protest Alison Johnstone paused proceedings, she said: "We will suspend business."

The debate on Tuesday was also marred by protests which forced a suspension of the session after an activist shouted "shame on you, there is no democracy here" from the public gallery.

It came after another amendment that would make it harder for sex offenders to apply for a GRC was voted down. While outside the parliament building women against the Bill held a protest both days MSPs were debating.

The new law has caused rebellions across the chamber, with SNP MSPs announcing before the vote they would defy the whip, while Scottish Tory Jamie Greene dissented from his party's view, although the Tories were given a free vote on the issue.

It is also understood some Labour opponents to the Bill were allowed to miss the vote.

But the passage of the Bill does not clear its path to the statute book, with Scottish Secretary Alister Jack now able to legally challenge the law if he believes it impacts on the UK, while private groups are also able to take legal action should they wish.

UK equalities minister Kemi Badenoch has raised concerns about the impact of the Bill on the rest of the country.

Speaking in the final debate on the Bill on Thursday, Ms Robison said: "Every party in this chamber except one made a clear commitment to the reforms set out in this Bill at the last Scottish election, and at the one before that it was all parties.

"Members from all parties in this chamber voted to support the general principles of the Bill at stage one.

"At this final stage, I urge all members to vote in favour of these important reforms and for the Bill, I move the motion in my name.

"Trans rights are not in competition with women's rights, and as so often before, we can improve things for everyone when those discriminated against act as allies, not opponents."

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