Story perspectives

Record Gender Certificate Applications Amid Controversial Ruling

1/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Mary-Ann Stephenson, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, says GRCs remain crucial for marriage and burial rights despite the Supreme Court ruling defining 'woman' by biological sex.
Applications for gender recognition certificates reached a record 1,987 in the year to September.
The commission awaits the government's response to its legally sound guidance on single-sex services.
Critics raised concerns about a leaked draft suggesting discrimination by appearance.

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Story summary

Mary-Ann Stephenson, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, says GRCs remain crucial for marriage and burial rights despite the Supreme Court ruling defining 'woman' by biological sex.
Applications for gender recognition certificates reached a record 1,987 in the year to September.
The commission awaits the government's response to its legally sound guidance on single-sex services.
Critics raised concerns about a leaked draft suggesting discrimination by appearance.