Media Releases
Colin Macfarlane (he/him), Director of Nations at Stonewall, said:
"The Scottish Government has an overwhelming mandate to reform the Gender Recognition Act. The proposed reforms are one of the most consulted on in the Scottish Parliament’s history.
In May this year, the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee undertook ten weeks of detailed evidence hearings on the proposals, hearing from a wide range of witnesses both supporting and opposed to the reforms.
On 21st December we hope that MSPs will vote to pass this legislation and ensure Scotland joins an ever-growing number of countries that have a demedicalised process of legal gender recognition.
If reports are true that the UK Government wishes to interfere in the democratic process of the Scottish Parliament, it will be nothing short of a disgrace that shows a total lack of respect for the mandate of the Scottish Parliament, fueling division.
It will be yet another example of hampering progress on LGBTQ+ rights and undermine the Prime Minister’s pledge to govern with compassion.
The UK Government already recognises equivalent birth certificates from all EU/EEA countries, including countries which have a de-medicalised model of legal gender recognition, so to refuse to recognise Scottish certificates would be a mistake, fly in the face of international best practice and come across as spiteful.
We hope this is the not the approach the Prime Minister wishes for the UK Government to take’’.
Ending reciprocal recognition of Gender Recognition Certificates (GRCs) from countries that support trans people changing their legal gender using a self-determination model is a disgraceful low for the UK Government’s approach to LGBTQ+ rights.
This comes as the UK Government considers challenging the Scottish Government’s mandate to implement the Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) Bill - a bill that was passed with overwhelming cross-party support from MSPs in December 2022.
Trans people from countries like Canada, Australia and New Zealand have had their gender recognition certificates respected by the UK for years. Seeking to end this system is an extraordinary move, not based on evidence or experience, that will effectively serve as a ‘trans travel ban’.
Ending recognition of GRCs from as many as fourteen countries who are our close allies and seeking to block implementation of the Scottish GRR Bill have significant consequences for trans people who are directly affected. But this also sends a message that the UK Government sees trans people as a threat to be contained, not citizens to be respected.
These moves cut against the inclusive values that characterise modern Britain and will actively harm the UK’s international reputation as an open, diverse and dynamic society - one of the reasons why global corporations that proudly support LGBTQ+ rights are attracted to doing business in the UK. They will have significant political consequences in the UK and internationally.
The Census tells us that trans people make up only 0.5% of our population, and trans men and women who can benefit from the Gender Recognition Reform Bill are only 0.2%. Trans people are at high risk of experiencing hate crime, which has been rising precipitately year on year. They wait years and years to get a first appointment with NHS healthcare specialists that can support their transition. Trans children are bullied in our schools, trans adults are bullied in their workplaces with CIPD research showing trans workers are 80% more likely than their cisgender colleagues to feel psychologically unsafe at work.
The UK Government should be focused on developing and implementing a strategy that improves the lives of all LGBTQ+ people, not harming trans people even more. Twenty years on from the repeal of Section 28, the Prime Minister risks re-toxifying his party’s brand by repeating historic mistakes. The Prime Minister should immediately review this course and focus instead on unlocking the potential of LGBTQ+ people across the UK.
We are saddened that the Prime Minister has decided to block the implementation of the Scottish Gender Recognition Reform Bill, through an order under Section 35 of the Scotland Act, for the first time in the history of devolution.
This is a piece of legislation that simply seeks to make the process for legally recognising a trans man or trans women’s gender more respectful and straightforward.
Scotland’s Bill aligns it with leading international practice endorsed by the United Nations and adopted by 30 countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and most of the United States of America.
Trans people make up only 0.5% of our population, and trans men and women who can benefit from the Gender Recognition Reform Bill are only 0.2%.
Trans people are at high risk of experiencing hate crime. They wait years and years to get a first appointment with healthcare specialists that can support their transition. Trans children are bullied in our schools. Trans adults are bullied in their workplaces.
The UK Government should be focused on developing and implementing a strategy that improves the lives of all LGBTQ+ people, including trans people, not causing them more harm.
Despite being a small population, trans people live in every community in the UK. They are our classmates, our colleagues, our friends and our family. Yet today's decision by the Prime Minister’s treats trans people as a threat to be contained, not citizens to be respected.
Twenty years on from the repeal of Section 28, the Prime Minister will re-toxify his party’s brand by repeating historic mistakes for LGBTQ+ people. This is out of step with the inclusive values of modern Britain.
The Gender Recognition Reform Bill was passed by a decisive majority of MSPs, after having received more extensive scrutiny than any other legislation in the Scottish Parliament’s history.
It does not interact with Equality Act – clarified by successful amendments from a Scottish Labour MSP; and it contains more safeguards than the UK Gender Recognition Act – thanks to successful amendments by a Scottish Conservative MSP.
The concerns cited by the Prime Minister have been addressed by Scottish politicians from across the parties.
This is the nuclear option. It is the only time that Section 35 of the Scotland Act has been used since 1998, in an unprecedented move which significantly undermines the devolution settlement and will unlock constitutional and diplomatic strife.
This is now a constitutional matter between the UK Government and the Scottish Government. It is a matter of grave and profound regret that the Prime Minister has allowed trans people’s lives to be used as a political football.
This is not governing with compassion. These are not the actions of a government that can stand on the international stage as a credible defender of LGBTQ+ rights. We hope that the legal process concludes swiftly, and that governments of the UK focus their attention on positive strategies that support LGBTQ+ communities to thrive.
-
Stonewall’s longest-serving trustee, Sheldon Mills, to take on role as Chair
-
Jan Gooding steps down after six year term and remains on the Board as a Trustee
-
Sheldon Mills is the first person of colour appointed as Stonewall’s Chair
Stonewall, Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Chair of Trustees, Sheldon Mills.
Sheldon succeeds Jan Gooding, who stepped down from her role as Chair at the board meeting on Tuesday 28 April after completing six years of service.
Jan initially started on Stonewall’s board in April 2013 and was elected Chair in April 2014. She will be staying on the board as a trustee.
After being confirmed as Chair last night, Sheldon has become the first person of colour appointed to this role. He is also Stonewall’s longest-standing trustee, having first joined the board in January 2013.
During this time, he has been involved in Stonewall’s decision to become a trans-inclusive organisation in 2015 and has long supported the charity’s ground-breaking partnership with UK Black Pride.
He has been integral in the recruitment of a new CEO, and will play a key role in their introduction to the organisation when they begin in June.
Sheldon is the interim Executive Director of Strategy and Competition at the Financial Conduct Authority where he leads a division working on consumer, competition and wholesale policy in financial services.
Stonewall will be recruiting for new trustees later this year.
Sheldon Mills, incoming Chair of Stonewall’s Board of Trustees, said: ‘I’m hugely excited and proud to be appointed Chair. Jan has shown tremendous leadership through her tenure as Chair and I’m grateful she’ll be staying on the board as we enter a new chapter in Stonewall’s history.
‘Right now, we’re all living through extraordinarily challenging times, but we know minority communities are often the hardest hit in a crisis, so the need for Stonewall has arguably never been greater.
'If the history of our movement teaches us anything, it’s that the LGBT community is at its strongest and most resilient, when we stick together and look out for one another.
‘Whether you’re a working-class lesbian of colour up in Dundee, a trans man living in Aberystwyth or a bi refugee who’s just arrived in the UK, Stonewall is here to fight for you. Every one of our struggles to be accepted for who we are is connected and together, we will build a more equal world for us all.’
‘Thank you, Jan, for all that you’ve taught me these past seven years and the work you’ve done to make the world a better place for LGBT people.’
Jan Gooding, outgoing Chair of Stonewall’s Board of Trustees, said: ‘I joined a very different Stonewall seven years ago, and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come and the work we now do to fight for the equality of all LGBT people.
'It’s not always been an easy or comfortable journey, but it’s only made us stronger and more united in our mission to change the world.
‘Sheldon has been with me every step of the way and I have no doubt he’s ready to take the reins. He is an inspiring leader with a deep passion and understanding of the issues facing LGBT people and the vital role Stonewall can play in making a difference.
‘Stonewall’s work won’t be finished until every lesbian, gay, bi and trans person is accepted without exception and I look forward to seeing how the charity continues to go from strength to strength in the years to come.’
Tracey Burley, Chief Operating Officer, Stonewall said: ‘We’re thrilled that Sheldon is taking over as Chair, while Jan remains on our Board as a Trustee. Sheldon’s extensive knowledge and understanding of Stonewall, including our work and history, will be invaluable as we navigate these challenging times and bring in our new Chief Executive.
'All of us at Stonewall are grateful to Jan for her service as Chair and her commitment to making the charity the best it could possibly be. I look forward to working with Sheldon, along with the rest of the Board, to make sure that our work has the biggest impact supporting LGBT communities now and in the future.’
New Chief Executive comes from National Centre for Social Research
Nancy Kelley to start on 1 June 2020
Stonewall’s Chair Sheldon Mills says Nancy will be an ‘outstanding leader’ who will ensure Stonewall meets the needs of all LGBT people in these challenging times
Stonewall, Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, today (Wednesday 13 May) is proud to announce Nancy Kelley as its incoming Chief Executive.
Nancy is currently the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of the Policy Research Centre at the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). At NatCen, she led a team of over 80 researchers specialising in social issues like health, crime and justice, education, work and income, and has been the lead on revenue growth as NatCen has returned to financial health over recent years.
Nancy is a passionate advocate for social justice and equality, and while at NatCen has worked on public attitudes to LGBT communities, as well as experiences of discrimination and social exclusion across LGBT communities and other disadvantaged groups.
Throughout her 20-year career, Nancy has built up a diverse record of policy and leadership experience working across the third sector and in Government. Prior to joining NatCen, she worked at the Department for Work and Pensions. She has also held various policy and research roles at UK charities including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Refugee Council and Barnardos.
Nancy joins Stonewall after a transformational period for the charity which saw it become fully trans inclusive, develop ground-breaking partnerships with the likes of UK Black Pride and The Premier League, and release a series of in-depth research reports, describing the state of the nation for LGBT people in Britain.
Nancy will start at Stonewall on 1 June and takes over from Paul Twocock, who served as interim chief executive, following Ruth Hunt’s departure in August 2019.
Nancy Kelley, incoming Chief Executive, Stonewall said: ‘It is an honour to have the opportunity to lead this groundbreaking organisation. Over the last 30 years we have made amazing strides towards LGBT equality in the UK, driven by the work of LGBT+ activists and millions of everyday acts of bravery and pride. Stonewall is rightly proud of its role in creating this change. But the benefits of progress haven’t been equally felt by all LGBT+ people.
Today, we see the LGBT+ community around us responding to the challenge of this pandemic with solidarity, resilience and creativity. But we can also see deep inequalities. Across the UK and around the world, LGBT+ people are trapped in homes where they are unsafe or unwanted. LGBT+ people of colour, and those living in poverty are more exposed not only to the coronavirus, but also the social and economic consequences it brings in its wake. And across our communities people are isolated from the services and support networks they need to survive.
We cannot let anyone turn back the clock on LGBT+ rights, and we cannot afford to be complacent about making those rights meaningful for all. We need to continue to fight for a world in which every lesbian, gay, bi and trans person is safe and free to be themselves. This is a world that Stonewall and all our allies stand ready to fight for, and I am very excited to be a part of that work.’
Sheldon Mills, Chair of Stonewall’s Board of Trustees, said: ‘We’re thrilled to welcome Nancy Kelley to the Stonewall family. Nancy is an outstanding leader who is ready to make sure everyone in the LGBT+ community gets the support they need from Stonewall as we find our way through this difficult time together.
‘Nancy brings a huge wealth of experience, along with an unwavering passion for Stonewall, our work and the communities we support. I have no doubt that Nancy will be transformational for us. We are stronger together as an LGBT+ movement and community, and her vision for Stonewall will help bring forward the day when every lesbian, gay, bi and trans person is accepted without exception.’