A man who now identifies as a woman wants past convictions as a sex worker erased as they reveal his biological sex [1]. The person who now goes by the name of ‘Helen’ is to launch a judicial review to remove two convictions for “importuning as a man”.
“I do not wish my gender history to be more widely known and do not wish to disclose my trans status to employers,” he said.
Trans people with a gender recognition certificate are usually legally entitled to keep their birth gender secret, but according to Helen’s barrister the disclosure of offences that revealed Helen’s birth gender in criminal record checks was “severe and discriminatory interference with Helen’s right to respect for her private life”.
However, Nicola Williams, of Fair Play for Women, said any change would open up a “huge loophole” whereby sex offenders could transition to “wipe out” their crimes.