“Brianna Ghey cannot be laid to rest in her actual form” Anger over “misgendering” of dead adolescent.
Trans rights critics are upset that Brianna Ghey, who identified as a woman, will be listed as a man on her death certificate.
The 16-year-old was fatally stabbed on Saturday at Warrington park. On suspicion of murder, two teens have been taken into custody.
Although the youngster was the victim of a “targeted” attack, police stated there was no evidence at this time to imply that her death was the result of a hate crime.
Campaigners have criticised that Brianna would not be buried as her “true self” due to gender recognition laws in the wake of her passing.
Because Britain does not have Self ID, trans teenager Brianna Ghey cannot be buried as her true self. She won’t be allowed the dignity of having ‘beloved daughter’ on her gravestone. Or a correct death certificate. All because the mob oppose something they don’t understand.
— India Willoughby (@IndiaWilloughby) February 13, 2023
What is Gender Recognition Act?
Following the passage of the Gender Recognition Act in 2004, transgender people are now eligible to seek a gender recognition certificate (GRC), which establishes the acquired gender of the transsexual person in legal terms.
Without this document, the deceased person’s original sex will be included on their death certificate, increasing the likelihood of being misgendered after their passing.
Campaigners claim that Brianna will lose her “dignity” in death.
Journalist and transgender rights activist India Willoughby stated on Twitter: “Trans adolescent Brianna Ghey cannot be buried as her authentic self because Britain does not have Self ID.
“She won’t be given the honour of having the phrase “loving daughter” engraved on her gravestone. Alternatively, a valid death certificate. All because of the mob’s opposition to a situation they don’t comprehend.”
Important to note. The gender recognition act that the gender criticals keep fighting with horrific, demonizing language means that Brianna Ghey's death certificate cannot list her gender as female. As a final insult, the English government will officially misgender her in death.
— Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) February 13, 2023
Attorney for civil rights Alejandra Caraballo wrote: “Important to remember Brianna Ghey’s death certificate cannot indicate her gender as female because of the gender recognition legislation, which the gender criticals continue to battle with horrifying, dehumanising language.
“The English government will legally misgender her in death as a last insult,”
Some people contrasted the gender recognition rules in the UK to those in other nations.
Tom Harwood, a journalist and political analyst, called it “unspeakably cruel” that Brianna’s death certificate identified her as a boy.
He tweeted: “The state will list Brianna Ghey as a guy on her death certificate, which is cruel.
“You don’t need a Gender Recognition Certificate for that; it’s not a passport to places. What it permits is fundamental decency on records like marriage or death certificates.”
How a GRC affects transgender individuals?
For trans people to update their sex marker with HMRC and their birth certificate, a gender recognition certificate (GRC) is required. If they want their marriage or civil partnership certificate to represent their true identities accurately, trans people also need a GRC.
Having a GRC also ensures that the correct sex is listed on a person’s death certificate, preventing them from being misgendered after death, according to the trans information website Trans Actual.
The website also notes that trans children and young people are not eligible for legal gender recognition in the UK; only trans men and trans women over 18 are entitled to do so.
According to these regulations, Brianna’s death certificate will reflect the gender she was given at birth.
Critics have demanded that it be changed to be in step with other nations because a gender recognition certificate may only be obtained if applicants meet specific conditions.
These prerequisites include being at least 18 years old, having a medical report confirming a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, a second medical report outlining any treatment related to the diagnosis, providing proof of having lived as the acquired gender for two years, swearing to continue living in the acquired gender until death, and receiving the approval of a UK government-appointed panel made up of two members, one legal and one medical.
Trans Actual lists several problems with the Gender Recognition Act, including requiring applicants to wait at least two years for a certificate and rely on a panel of strangers to determine their gender. It further claims that the rules do not give non-binary people and transgender people under 18 legal recognition.
After Rishi Sunak controversially prevented Scotland’s gender reforms from becoming law last month, rules about gender recognition have been under increased scrutiny.
The action was taken after the Scottish Parliament passed a bill that would make it simpler for trans people to change their legal gender on official documents like passports and birth certificates by allowing them to obtain a gender recognition certificate at the age of 16 or older without first receiving a doctor’s diagnosis of gender dysphoria.
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