UK's highest court rejects gender neutral passports
Campaigner Christie Elan-Cane fought for more than 25 years for “X” passports
Last updated 27th May 2022
The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal for ‘X’ gender markers to be made available to British passports holders.
Activist, Christie Elan-Cane, has campaigned for more than 25 years to achieve legal and social recognition as he believes the application process breaches human rights laws by not allowing an "X" option.
Elan-Cane has now said the case will go to the European Court of Human Rights.
'Unanimously dismisses' appeal
On Wednesday 15, the Supreme Court delivered the judgement that it “unanimously dismisses” the case.
Giving the ruling, Lord Reed said:
“The form is concerned with the applicants’ gender as a biographical detail which can be used to confirm their identity by checking it against the birth, adoption or gender recognition certificates provided and other official records.
"It is therefore the gender recognised for legal purposes and recorded in those documents which is relevant."
There were some mixed views on the decision on twitter: