Half of Brits do not think the process for legally changing sex should be made easier, a survey for The Times has revealed.
Currently, anyone seeking to change sex must have lived for two years as a member of the opposite sex and been medically diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
But late last year, the Government consulted on how to make it easier for people to change sex, calling the current process “bureaucratic” and “intrusive”.
Status quo
The survey found that 49 per cent think the rules should not be made easier. Only 28 per cent said it should.
Most people also believe transgenderism should be treated as a medical issue, with 65 per cent saying a person should require a doctor’s approval if they wish to change sex.
Almost as many (64 per cent) said transgender people should be required to live in their ‘chosen gender’ for two years before they can legally change sex.
More than four in ten (43 per cent) thought transgender activists and lobby groups should not be allowed to distribute material in schools.
Ideology
Respondents were also concerned about the integrity of sport, with nearly half (48 per cent) saying men who say they are women should not be permitted to take part in women’s sporting events.
The Christian Institute’s Deputy Director (Staff and Communications) Ciarán Kelly said: “These results give a clear indication of public feeling on transgender issues.
“They do not think the process of changing legal sex should be made easier, and many do not think this radical gender ideology should be forced upon impressionable children.
“Ministers need to listen to the public.”
YouGov surveyed 1,660 adults for The Times on a number of issues concerning proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act 2004.