“It costs £6 to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate...”
which is bullshit, considering that
“If your application is unsuccessful,
you cannot get a refund.” It is bullshit that
you need a Gender Recognition Certificate
to marry, die, divorce, or register with HMRC
with dignity. So much for all being fair in love, death
and taxes. It is bullshit that
“The Gender Recognition Panel will look at your application...”
considering that
I could not find a single like-minded person on this [so-called]
panel. The panel knows nothing about
me nor what it is like to be born
in the wrong body. Even if “The panel is
[allegedly] made up of people [allegedly]
with legal and/or medical qualifications,” I do not
agree. “The panel will
decide whether the application meets all the necessary
legal requirements.” Including: the completed form;
an original birth certificate; a deed poll; “Proof” that you’ve “lived
in your acquired gender” for at least 2 years—which takes
the form of a passport, driving licence, bills, payslips, other correspondence
at least every 3 months; at least 2 medical reports, one of which has to be
a medical practitioner from the “approved list” (please note:
you must pay for each medical report); and finally, if married, written permission
from your spouse.
[NB1: This process does not comply with the United Nations
Human Rights Commission guidance.] [NB2: This does not negate nor nullify
the Supreme Court's “clarification” on the legal definition of
a woman.]
“Finally, please note that the panel will usually look at your application
within 22 weeks of applying. The panel’s decision
is final. No correspondence will be entered into.” Which is bullshit. This is all
bullshit. I just want to make sure they print the correct gender on my
suicide report.
Faye Chung Underwood (she/they) is an Academic Tutor and PhD candidate at the University of Warwick. Her poetry appears in The Page Gallery, Kamena Magazine, Tales from Tarot, and others. When not reading or writing, she enjoys yearning, playing the lyre, and staring at cats in rescue centres.
Instagram: @fayewritespoetry