Scottish Catholic Observer

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s plans to radically reform gender laws have been criticised by the Scottish Catholic Church.

Under the SNP plans announced last week, people who see themselves as neither male nor female would be given new legal protections legal protections they do not have now but a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland said ‘the law can’t solve all problems.’

“The Church offers to society a unique vision of the human person, made in God’s image and likeness,” the spokesman said. “Anyone who struggles with their identity as a person needs our support and compassion. Law doesn’t solve all problems and the notion that any Parliament can legislate away the difficulties that a few face is mistaken.”

The SNP leader (above) unveiled the pledge ahead of a hustings event with the other main party leaders in Edinburgh last week. If the law is reformed in the next Scottish Parliament, people would be able to change a birth certificate to recognise their gender status and use it on official documents such as passports. The reforms could also allow 16- and 17-year-old transgender people to be recognised officially for the first time.

At present, Denmark and Malta are the only countries in Europe that recognise people who are neither male nor female. Outside Europe, New Zealand, Australia, India, Pakistan, Argentina and Nepal give such recognition.

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