Hundreds of trans rights activists take to streets of Glasgow in protest trends now

Hundreds of people gathered on the streets of Glasgow today to protest the decision by the UK government to block the Scottish Parliament's transgender reform legislation.

Campaigners took part in the Rally for Trans Equality on the steps of the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in the middle of the city.

Demonstrators waved LGBT+ flags and held up signs reading 'trans rights now' and 'God hates Tories'.

The Gender Reform Bill, passed by the Scottish Parliament in December, would have made it easier for people to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate before the UK government blocked the law change.

Scottish MPs and MSPs were among the protesters demonstrating against the UK government intervention.

Swarms of protesters filled the centre of the city around Buchanan Street from 11am and finished just after 1pm.

Demonstrators chanted: 'When trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.' 

Under the legislation change, those aged 16 and 17 could have applied for a Gender Recognition Certificate to be acquired six-months after they had transitioned.

But on Monday, Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Jack blocked the reforms made by the Scottish Parliament under Section 35 of the Scotland Act, under grounds that it directly clashed with UK-wide legislation.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack laid out his reasoning on the House of Commons earlier this week, saying that Westminster could not accept the 'adverse' impact on UK-wide equalities law.

During his announcement, Scottish MPs gathered on the opposition benches to shout 'shame' at the minister.

Mr Jack announced: 'The Government has looked closely at the potential impact of the Bill and I've considered all relevant policy and operational implications together with the minister for women and equalities.

'And it is our assessment that the Bill would have a serious adverse impact among other things on the operation of the Equality Act 2010.