Royal Bank of Scotland : RBS responds to the Gender Recognition Act Reform Consultation

Today we submitted the RBS Group's response to the UK government's consultation on reforming the Gender Recognition Act 2004. The consultation sought views on how the Government could make it easier for trans and non-binary people to achieve legal recognition of their gender.

Our response makes clear that we believe changing the identity rules in the UK to reflect the needs and rights of trans and non-binary people is hugely important. Currently, each person looking to legally change their gender must go through a long and arduous process involving a medical diagnosis, providing evidence of living in their chosen gender for at least two years; all of which is then followed by a decision made by a judging panel.

Society is a diverse place with many different kinds of people who are all unique. Making it easier for people wishing to change their gender status would help to safeguard the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of trans people, and continue the journey towards social and legal equality. For many trans people, talking to family, friends and colleagues regarding their feelings is extremely difficult and any help that can be provided through changes to legal protection and recognition is welcomed.

RBS supports the adoption of a self-declaration system for legal gender recognition in the UK. We have already adopted this process in the RBS workplace to ensure that colleagues can bring their whole selves to work each and every day, free of judgement, as part of our goal of ensuring all our staff are comfortable in their surroundings. We also extend the same levels of support to our trans and non-binary customers, allowing customers to self-declare gender changes with no requirement for additional evidence.

As LGBT sponsor for the bank, it is part of my job to make sure due care and attention is given to issues such as these and to make sure we are looking out for all of our LGBT colleagues and customers.