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| LGBTQ: Aim to make it easier to change gender in Wales | |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| The Welsh government has unveiled its new LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales | The Welsh government has unveiled its new LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales |
| Making it simpler for someone to legally change their gender is part of new proposals being unveiled by the Welsh government. | Making it simpler for someone to legally change their gender is part of new proposals being unveiled by the Welsh government. |
| It comes after the UK government said it would block similar legislation put forward by the Scottish government. | It comes after the UK government said it would block similar legislation put forward by the Scottish government. |
| The Welsh government called the new LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales an "ambitious plan with hope". | |
| But the Welsh Tories said the community "don't deserve to be used as a political tool" to secure more powers. | |
| Wales' plan aims to improve the rights of LGBTQ+ people such as banning all aspects of so-called conversion therapy practice, but currently the Welsh Parliament cannot make its own gender recognition law. | |
| It would be up to the UK government to hand over the powers from Westminster - as things stand Conservative ministers in London have no plans to do so. | |
| Stonewall Cymru welcomed the proposals, but said "we shouldn't be complacent". | Stonewall Cymru welcomed the proposals, but said "we shouldn't be complacent". |
| Non-binary Welsh speakers want gender-neutral help | Non-binary Welsh speakers want gender-neutral help |
| Eisteddfod for LGBTQ community considered | Eisteddfod for LGBTQ community considered |
| The document, which has been backed by Plaid Cymru, says it would "trigger" a request with the UK government to devolve powers related to gender recognition. | The document, which has been backed by Plaid Cymru, says it would "trigger" a request with the UK government to devolve powers related to gender recognition. |
| Last month, the UK government said it would block legislation put forward by the Scottish government that would make it easier for people in the country to change their legally recognised gender. | Last month, the UK government said it would block legislation put forward by the Scottish government that would make it easier for people in the country to change their legally recognised gender. |
| It said the draft law would conflict with equality protections applying across Great Britain. | It said the draft law would conflict with equality protections applying across Great Britain. |
| The Scottish government wanted to speed up and simplify the existing process by which people can obtain a gender recognition certificate - the legal recognition of a transgender person's "acquired" gender. | The Scottish government wanted to speed up and simplify the existing process by which people can obtain a gender recognition certificate - the legal recognition of a transgender person's "acquired" gender. |
| Currently, people have to apply to a UK gender recognition panel and typically must present a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. | Currently, people have to apply to a UK gender recognition panel and typically must present a diagnosis of gender dysphoria. |
| Last month, First Minister Mark Drakeford said in the Senedd that Wales should have a gender self-identification system, similar to the one approved in Scotland. | Last month, First Minister Mark Drakeford said in the Senedd that Wales should have a gender self-identification system, similar to the one approved in Scotland. |
| Under the plan, the Welsh government would "initiate conversations" with the UK government to implement a recognition for non-binary people on passports and driving licences. | Under the plan, the Welsh government would "initiate conversations" with the UK government to implement a recognition for non-binary people on passports and driving licences. |
| 'Pretty cool' | 'Pretty cool' |
| Ethan Thomas, 21, hopes the new plan will help "stop prejudice" against members of the LGBTQ+ community | Ethan Thomas, 21, hopes the new plan will help "stop prejudice" against members of the LGBTQ+ community |
| Ethan Thomas, 21, has a transgender sister and described the new plan as "pretty cool". | Ethan Thomas, 21, has a transgender sister and described the new plan as "pretty cool". |
| "It's good that Wales is pushing to include people and stop prejudice against them," he said. | "It's good that Wales is pushing to include people and stop prejudice against them," he said. |
| Student Lili Rainer, 21, said the plans boost her Welsh pride. | Student Lili Rainer, 21, said the plans boost her Welsh pride. |
| Lili Rainer says plans like this make her prouder to be Welsh | Lili Rainer says plans like this make her prouder to be Welsh |
| "I love being from Wales. It's really good to see Wales stepping forward and stepping up," she said. | "I love being from Wales. It's really good to see Wales stepping forward and stepping up," she said. |
| "I think it gets people talking about it and makes it more normalised." | "I think it gets people talking about it and makes it more normalised." |
| Tabitha Edwards, 20, added that while she thinks it was a positive step, more can be done. | Tabitha Edwards, 20, added that while she thinks it was a positive step, more can be done. |
| Tabitha Edwards, 20, who is bisexual, says "there could be more being done" | Tabitha Edwards, 20, who is bisexual, says "there could be more being done" |
| "I'm bisexual. I came out when I was about 13," she said. | "I'm bisexual. I came out when I was about 13," she said. |
| "It makes me very happy, but I think there could be more being done." | "It makes me very happy, but I think there could be more being done." |
| Cai Jones, 22, agreed, adding: "I think it's the government's duty. If they're going to announce these plans, they need to fulfil these plans. They need to actually back it up. | Cai Jones, 22, agreed, adding: "I think it's the government's duty. If they're going to announce these plans, they need to fulfil these plans. They need to actually back it up. |
| "I think there's still a long way to go, definitely." | "I think there's still a long way to go, definitely." |
| The Welsh government would also use "all available powers to ban all aspects" of so-called conversion therapy practices, which refers to any form of treatment or psychotherapy aiming to change a person's sexual orientation or to suppress a person's gender identity, and "seek the devolution of any necessary additional powers". | The Welsh government would also use "all available powers to ban all aspects" of so-called conversion therapy practices, which refers to any form of treatment or psychotherapy aiming to change a person's sexual orientation or to suppress a person's gender identity, and "seek the devolution of any necessary additional powers". |
| In the education sector, the action plan sets out to provide national trans guidance for schools and local authorities in Wales. | In the education sector, the action plan sets out to provide national trans guidance for schools and local authorities in Wales. |
| The plan, according to the document, would ensure maternity and fertility services are accessible and straightforward to use for LGBTQ+ people by "reviewing and improving" fertility referral pathways. | The plan, according to the document, would ensure maternity and fertility services are accessible and straightforward to use for LGBTQ+ people by "reviewing and improving" fertility referral pathways. |
| The UK government said it had "a proud history of LGBT rights" and will ban all forms of conversion therapy in England and Wales - including those targeting transgender people. It added that the country also had "one of the world's most comprehensive and robust legislative protection frameworks for LGBT people". | |
| Hannah Blythyn MS described the new plan as "ambitious" | Hannah Blythyn MS described the new plan as "ambitious" |
| Deputy minister for social partnership Hannah Blythyn said: "The plan is ambitious but with hope at its heart. | Deputy minister for social partnership Hannah Blythyn said: "The plan is ambitious but with hope at its heart. |
| "We are absolutely committed to meaningful change for LGBTQ+ communities, creating a society and country where LGBTQ+ people are safe to live and love authentically, openly and freely as ourselves." | "We are absolutely committed to meaningful change for LGBTQ+ communities, creating a society and country where LGBTQ+ people are safe to live and love authentically, openly and freely as ourselves." |
| Davinia Green, director of Stonewall Cymru, said it was a "first step". | Davinia Green, director of Stonewall Cymru, said it was a "first step". |
| Davinia Green, director of charity Stonewall Cymru, has welcomed the plan | Davinia Green, director of charity Stonewall Cymru, has welcomed the plan |
| "What I'm really keen for, is for people not to become complacent by this," she said. | "What I'm really keen for, is for people not to become complacent by this," she said. |
| "An action plan is great, there's some really key and clear commitments as part of it, but we want to see it implemented." | "An action plan is great, there's some really key and clear commitments as part of it, but we want to see it implemented." |
| Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price added: "This means delivering change for everyone in society and we are proud to be working with the Welsh government on our shared ambition for Wales to be the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation in Europe." | |
| Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Equalities, Altaf Hussain MS, said the pandemic has exacerbated structural inequalities for many members of the LGBTQ+ community in Wales. | |
| "People across the world have a right to be themselves without fear of discrimination or persecution and the Welsh Conservatives will always fight for the rights of communities across Wales," he said. | |
| "While I firmly believe that more needs to be done to support LGBTQ+ people, the further devolution of powers is not the answer. | |
| "We have seen the chaos that the SNP have brought about with devolved powers and now Labour ministers are seeking to do the same. | |
| "Members of the LGBTQ+ community deserve our respect, support and understanding, they don't deserve to be used as a political tool by Labour ministers in their bid to secure more powers. | |
| "This plan shows our concrete commitment to delivering that." | "This plan shows our concrete commitment to delivering that." |
| Additional reporting by Emilia Davies, BBC News. | Additional reporting by Emilia Davies, BBC News. |
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