Earlier this week, in my role as a member of the Petitions Committee, I had the privilege of leading a Westminster Hall debate on e-petition 701159, which calls for transgender people to be able to self-identify their legal gender. With over 127,000 signatures—including more than 130 from my South Cotswolds constituency—this petition clearly struck a chord with people across the country.
It was one of those rare parliamentary moments that rise above political calculation—like the recent debate on assisted dying—where MPs speak not to win votes, but because our conscience tells us it is the right thing to do. These are the moments that remind us what public service should be about: compassion, courage, and a commitment to justice.
The principle behind this petition is simple: that trans people should be able to live with dignity, not bureaucracy—with respect, not suspicion. That they should be able to update their legal gender through a statutory declaration, as is already the case in countries like Ireland and Denmark. And that we should remove intrusive, medicalised barriers that prevent people from having documents that reflect their identity.
The mental health implications of the current system are stark. When people are forced to justify who they are to strangers, when they are unable to access timely healthcare or live freely in their affirmed gender, the psychological toll is immense. One trans respondent to a recent survey spoke of feeling they had to shrink their life just to stay safe, describing a constant state of fear and invalidation. Another parent worried not only for their trans daughter’s safety, but for their cis daughter too—concerned she might be wrongly perceived as trans if she didn’t conform strictly to gender norms.
During a conversation after the debate, I was particularly moved by a mother who had been in the public gallery. She shared the story of her daughter, who had once been incapacitated by depression before her transition. Since then, her daughter has become a successful journalist—full of energy, optimism, and hope for the future. It was a powerful and personal reminder of what’s at stake when we talk about gender recognition: not just legal rights, but the chance to live fully and thrive.
Of course, I recognise that there are concerns, particularly from some women’s groups, about what changes to the law might mean for access to single-sex spaces. These concerns should be acknowledged and addressed with sensitivity. But we must keep them in perspective. Criminal behaviour is always criminal, regardless of who commits it. Judging people for their identity rather than their actions risks scapegoating the innocent while failing to tackle the real issue.
In reality, trans people are far more likely to be the victims of violence and abuse than the perpetrators. Yet they are too often the ones treated with suspicion.
Since the debate, I’ve been touched by the many messages I’ve received—from trans people, allies, parents and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Some told me that hearing their experiences reflected in Parliament gave them a renewed sense of hope. Others said it was the first time they felt seen and understood by someone in politics. One described feeling hopeful again after months of fear and despair.
These messages reminded me why this debate mattered so deeply. Because trans people are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for the right to live peacefully, freely, and truthfully as themselves.
There are no trans MPs in Parliament today. But we all represent trans constituents. And we all have the ability to empathise—to imagine what it must feel like when the state places bureaucratic barriers in the way of your basic rights and freedoms.
We can choose to inflame division. Or we can lead with compassion and respect.
For me, the choice is clear.
Let’s support every person’s right to live as themselves—and build a society where everyone is free to do just that.
Dignity, Not Bureaucracy: Why Parliament Must Support Trans Self-ID
