A transgender offender wants to change the law so that his criminal record does not reveal that he was born a man.
The man, who goes by the name Helen, was convicted of “importuning as a man” while working in a club in the 1970s and 80s.
The offence has since been rebranded “soliciting”. He says the old term reveals his gender history to any future employers.
Secrecy
His lawyer and Unlock, a charity for people with criminal records, say the law should be changed as it risks drawing attention to transsexuals.
People who have legally changed sex have a Gender Recognition Certificate, and are entitled to have their biological sex kept secret.
A women’s campaign group says changing the law would create a “huge loophole” which would allow rapists to erase their crimes following transition.
Legally, rape can only be committed by a man.
‘Self-declaration’
The Government is currently consulting on how to make it easier for people to legally change sex, which could include allowing ‘self-declaration’.
If the law was changed in both of these ways, it could allow rapists to have their crimes erased simply by declaring themselves to be a woman.