The proposal for a National Identity card in the United Kingdom is controversial enough for the general populace, but it is causing deep concerns in the trans community. Although the government website is keen to point out that ethnic details will not be recorded on the database, they are (unlike Germany) planning to include gender. This will include a record of past gender for those who have changed their birth certificates under the Gender Recognition Act and who are legally protected by that Act from any disclosure of their past gender identity. In the wake of a series of scandals where civil servants have lost confidential information, it would only be a matter of time before someone would get their hands on the names and addresses of the UK’s entire trans community. In addition, those who do not or cannot get their birth certificate changed will have to keep two cards on their person, one for the gender they present as, and one for their legal gender. If you are a UK resident or a UK citizen living abroad, you can sign the offical online petition to the Prime Minister at:
Petition Against UK Plans for a Trans Identity Register
28 February, 2009 by Mercia McMahon
