Calls for gender recognition in Gibraltar
Gibraltar’s Equality Rights Group have called on the government to provide rights for trans people.
Chairman Felix Alvarez spoke of the: “need to recognise the rights of this sector of our population, however small it might be. It’s not a question of numbers, but of fairness, kindness and justice.”
The British Overseas Territory does not currently allow trans people to legally change their gender, unlike mainland UK and Gibraltar’s neighbour Spain.
Mr Alvarez mentioned trans woman Joanna Attard who led calls for legal recognition. “Many will already know Joanna as a much-loved member of the Gibraltar community who has earned the respect of family, friends, employers and all around her.
“The calm manner in which she has openly lived a lifetime amongst us in her gender identity deserves a similarly reasonable and just addressing of this issue now without further delay. This year, the time has come.”
“Consequently, Equality Rights Group has formally approached Government for the issues to be placed on the table in order for the necessary dialogue, discussions and resolutions to be achieved in order to close a deficit which still exists in this area of human rights in Gibraltar.”
