Sex and gender in legislation: the case against “legal sex change”

Understanding GRA2004 as making a “legal sex change” is erroneous and overstates the effect of a gender recognition certificate. “Legal sex” has been misconceptualised. Whilst clarification of the law is desirable, qualifying “sex” in legislation in any way is unnecessary, has undesirable consequences and carries significant risk throughout domestic legislation, as well as to sex-based rights under international law.