Transsexual people have the deep conviction that their gender identity (believing oneself to be a man or a woman) does not match their appearance and/or anatomy. This condition is called gender dysphoria (a medical condition recognised by the Chief Medical Officer) or gender identity disorder. The incongruity between identity and body can be so strong that individuals are driven to presenting themselves in the acquired (opposite) gender.
Gender dysphoria or transsexualism is a drive to live in the opposite gender to that in which a person has been registered at birth. It is a widely recognised medical condition. The Chief Medical Officer has confirmed that gender dysphoria is a medical condition that may need treatment and that treatment may be carried out by the National Health Service (NHS) as well as privately.
The Gender Recognition Act 2004 is a piece of legislation, which provides for the Gender Recognition Panel to decide applications from transsexual people for legal recognition in their acquired gender.
People should make applications to the Gender Recognition Panel for legal recognition in their acquired gender. Applicants will need to complete the relevant application form, which can be obtained from the panel, along with the required evidence.
The panel can be contacted at:
Website: www.grp.gov.uk
Email:
Post: PO Box 6987, Leicester, LE1 6ZX
Telephone: 0845 355 5155
Following a successful application to the Gender Recognition Panel, a transsexual person, from the date of recognition will (among other things):
The Gender Recognition Panel assesses applications from transsexual people for legal recognition of the gender in which they now live and ensures they can enjoy the rights and responsibilities appropriate to that gender. The panel was set up under the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and consists of both legal and medical members.
Further information about transsexualism, the Gender Recognition Panel and applying for gender recognition can be obtained from the Gender Recognition Panel at
Website: www.grp.gov.uk
Email:
Post: PO Box 6987, Leicester, LE1 6ZX
Telephone: 0845 355 5155
There is also a list of contacts on our useful links section, which may be helpful.