First Stage of Scotland’s Gender Reform Self-ID Bill Passes Despite Nine SNP MPs Defying Party Whip

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addresses the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, on June 28, 2022. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Politicians have voted to back the general principles of the ruling Scottish National Party’s upcoming legislation that will allow someone to legally change gender by making a statutory declaration.

In the stage one debate of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, the legislation passed by 88 votes to 33, with four abstentions.