Don't cry for me in Argentina

Jen looks at options in 'gay capital' over fears she will face persecution at home after Supreme Court order

- HANNAH RODGER

A SCOTTISH transgender woman is to seek asylum in Argentina over fears of persecution and discrimination in Scotland.

Glasgow-born Jen Bell's decision comes after a Supreme Court ruling last month that, in law, the term "woman" refers to biological sex.

The ruling has sparked a raft of rules and guidelines banning trans people from certain toilets, sports and clubs which has been welcomed by some gender-critical groups.

Jen, 31, was travelling in South America when the court decision was announced and now plans to claim asylum in Buenos Aires.

Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mail, Jen said: "Initially, I just wanted to travel for a bit and I'd always wanted to go to Latin America. I ended up in Buenos Aires and then all this happened with the Supreme Court.

"I'm looking at my options but I do have the option to apply for asylum. I've been talking to various LGBT groups here to judge whether that's feasible and they seem to think I would have a case.

"They watch what's happening - the Supreme Court ruling, the Cass Review, and now these rules banning trans people from all sorts of things.

"I'm still seeking advice on it but that's what I'm intending to do."

Jen believes life has become much harder for transgender people in Scotland. She said: "A decade ago, I had the opportunity to medically transition, there was a process I went through. People were given help and it was based on informed consent and self-determination.