Tory Government Rejects Calls For “Dignity In Death” For Trans People After Brianna Ghey Murder

A petition calling for posthumous amendments to the Gender Recognition Act (GRA), made after the death of Brianna Ghey and to respect trans people after her death, has been rejected by the government.

The activists wanted Brianna Ghey to receive a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) so that her death certificate would reflect her true gender.

Image Credit: Pixabay

Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old trans girl, was stabbed to death in a Warrington park on Saturday (February 11). Two teenagers, both aged 15, have been charged with murder.

Under UK law, only people over the age of 18 can obtain a GRC, which allows the gender of a trans person to be entered on birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates.

A campaign using the hashtag #DignityForBrianna was launched with the goal of getting Ghey a posthumous GRC.

Proud to be trans, Brianna Ghey opened up about her identity on TikTok. Friends have spoken of how she would give advice to other young trans women and was “constantly on the lookout” for her peers.

Despite a petition with more than 13,000 signatures, the UK government has rejected any possibility of changing the GRC, according to ‘Daily News’.

“The Government is committed to upholding Britain’s longstanding record of protecting the rights of individuals against unlawful discrimination and wants people who are transgender to live their lives as they choose,” read the response Government.

“As announced in 2020, we believe the Gender Recognition Act 2004 is effective, striking the right balance and enabling those who wish to legally change their gender.

“We have no plans to change that.”

Despite increasing violence and discrimination against trans people in the UK and around the world, the Tory Government fails to address the issue of posthumous identification in its lengthy reply.

The person behind the petition, Mimi (not her real name), told PinkNews after launching the campaign that she was overcome with “sorrow that quickly turned to searing anger” when she realised Ghey had died without ever knowing the Opportunity to have gender recognition.

“I decided to channel that into something that could help her gain the dignity she deserves,” she said at the time.

“Everyone but trans people take for granted that in death they have the dignity of being remembered for who they were in life. If a trans person doesn’t have a GRC, that’s something they can’t afford, especially if they’re under 18.”

Brianna’s funeral was held on Wednesday (March 16), at which mourners wore pink and her family paid tribute to the “prettiest, most perfect girl”.

Read related myGwork articles here:

LGBTQ+ Broadcasters To Hold Minute Silence For Brianna Ghey

Vigils Held Across the UK for Murdered Trans Girl, Brianna Ghey

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