Kellie Maloney warns against self-declaring system for trans people – despite calling current rules ‘intrusive’
Kellie Maloney in 2015 (Mark Runnacles/Getty)
Boxing promotor Kellie Maloney has warned against a self-declared system of changing gender, despite calling her own experiences “hard” and “intrusive”.
Speaking in a moving interview, the trans reality star said she was “not saying the [current] system is right, but there should be some sort of guideline to prove it.”
“You have to sure this is the right journey,” she added. “You have to know it’s right. If you can just wake up and decide and get it done, there’s no protection, and some people could abuse the system.”
Currently trans people must endure a series of bureaucratic hurdles, wait two years and submit to medical tests in order to change their legal gender.
However, the Government has recently announced a review of the Gender Recognition Act, following calls from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Speaking exclusively to PinkNews earlier this month he pledged to vote for proposals of a self-declaration system.
“I am delighted that the Government has listened to the demands of LGBT activists and is following Labour’s manifesto commitment. We will vote for any law that improves the rights of trans people,” he added.
Speaking about her own transition, the 64-year-old said the process had been intense – and that her application had been rejected twice.
“To get your actual certificate is quite hard,” she explained. “You have to collect so much information, so many forms. Mine came back twice saying I didn’t have the right documents.”
“For my final gender surgery I had to see a psychiatrist and answer a lot of questions, but I do think that’s important, you know.
“I’m not saying the system is right, and it could be made a little but easier, but there should be some sort of guidelines to prove it.
“No one wakes up and decides they want to be a woman or man, if they do they should be locked up.”
Maloney, who previously said her “life was taken away” after making her transition public, added she had “battled with [herself] for years”.
She added: “From the age of three I knew I was different to my brothers and the other boys I played with. I was battling with everything, and I was trying to prove I was the same as any other boy.
“From a person that’s been through it I do understand it’s very hard and very intrusive and it does open your life up to a lot of issues that you’ve got to face yourself.”
She also revealed she knew people who had taken their lives while attempting to transition, as well as trying to take her own life “a couple of times”.
However, despite describing life as a “battle”, she said she had now been “accepted”.
“I live a very peaceful life, I’m much happier than I’ve ever been.”
Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
