Whilst rights for transgender people have progressed, there is still a lot of ground to be covered to ensure everyone has equal rights and opportunities.
Amidst concerns that the confidence and supply arrangement the Conservatives have with the DUP will drive us backwards, Jeremy Corbyn has emerged saying he would support any change to the law that would allow transgender people to self-identify.
The standard process to legally identify as your preferred gender is to apply to the Gender Recognition Panel, paying a fee of £140. The requirements include but are not limited to having a diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria* and having lived as your preferred gender for two years.
Is the red tape and bureaucracy involved at such a crucial and emotional time in a person's life truly necessary?
There is a call for people to be able to self-identify, ultimately they know best who they really are, what there sexual and gender preferences are.
Transgender rights are still a struggle in various aspects of day to day life. From employment to housing opportunities.
In 2016 a survey found that 60% of those asked had reported experiencing discrimination in the workplace.
Being Transgender does not affect a persons ability to perform in any particular job role - so why is there still a struggle with employment discrimination?
My first thought, is why are people still having to fight for equal rights to be who they want to be? Being a straight, white male is not the only qualification for equal rights.
As we evolve, are better educated and more enlightened we need to catch up with the society in which we live.
We are all people, we all want to be happy in our own skin and in our relationships.
Having to justify our choices and having to fight for the body that is right for us is not OK.
*The NHS clearly states that gender dysphoria is not considered to be a mental health issue.