Scotland’s Gender Recognition Reform bill, which had been scheduled to go for a final vote in the country’s Parliament on Wednesday, has been delayed for another day.
Members of the Tory party delayed proceedings with additional amendments and interventions to the bill, causing the session to run into the early hours of Thursday morning.
Multiple lawmakers who support the bill accused the Tories of using “shameful” tactics to delay voting two days in a row, Pink News reports. In a statement posted to Twitter, Parliament member Patrick Harris wrote that the Tories “behaved shamelessly, and continue to do so.”
Maggie Chapman, another member of the Parliament, called the attempts to delay the vote “cynical,” adding, “We’ve also heard disgraceful dog whistles and smears toward the trans community today.”
The Tories should be ashamed of their cynical attempts to filibuster the GRR bill.
We’ve also heard disgraceful dog whistles and smears towards the trans community today. Despite all of this, we will pass GRR and create a more inclusive Scotland.https://t.co/HOtVm653zQ
— Maggie Chapman MSP (@MaggieChapman) December 21, 2022
The bill, once passed, would streamline the process for individuals to legally change their gender identity without having to undergo medical referrals. It would also allow for individuals to begin the process at age 16 rather than 18.
Proponents of the bill argue that it is a vital tool for making the process easier for everyone, regardless of gender identity, to live their lives as their authentic selves. Opponents, however, allege that it could open the door for men to abuse the system in order to gain access to women.
Parliament first voted on the bill back in October. At the time, 88 lawmakers voted in favor of the bill while 33 opposed it.
Despite the delay, the bill is expected to pass in a final round of voting, now scheduled for Thursday.
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