Gender Equality Enhancement Act 2015 (Amendment) Bill

A BILL TO amend the Gender Equality Enhancement Act 2015 to allow for infant male circumcision.

Section 1: Amendments

1. Amend section 3 (a) of the Gender Equality Enhancement Act 2015 from:

(a) All forms of non-medically necessary Infant Genital Mutilation are prohibited. This includes individuals born as intersex.

to

(a) All forms of non-medically necessary Infant Genital Mutilation are prohibited. This includes individuals born as intersex.
i. Except for Male circumcision, which is defined as the surgical removal of the foreskin, carried out by a licensed medical professional.

Section 2: Enactment

(1) This bill may be cited as the Gender Equality Enhancement (Amendment) Bill 2019

(2) This bill extends to the United Kingdom

(3) This bill shall come into force 30 days after achieving Royal Assent

This bill was submitted by /u/thechattyshow on behalf of the Liberal Democrats. The reading will end on the 25th.

OPENING SPEECH:

Mr Deputy Speaker,

When the original Gender Equality Enhancement Act was enacted, it banned the practice of infant male circumcision. Whilst the bill did do a lot of good things, it made a serious error in this clause. My Rt. Hon Friend, /u/tim-sanchez spoke at the time about why this is a dangerous step, even if you disagree with the practice of male circumcision.

In my opinion, children not be circumcised except for medical treatment. If a person wishes it for religious circumstance, then let them decide when they can consent.

However, we must also realise that simply banning an offence doesn't magically stop it. With an act like circumcision, which will happen regardless of a ban due to its prominence in major religion, we must realise that by banning it, all it does is force the practice underground where it is likely to be more dangerous and unsafe for the child. Therefore, I believe that we should make it legal again, to protect children and ensure if they are circumcised, it is done properly and safely. I hope all of you can join me in supporting this amendment.