Campaigner Report has 'potential for positive change'

When Stephen Whittle transitioned as a teenager in 1975, he was one of only a handful of young people in the UK to be offered hormone treatment and later surgery. 

- Harriet Sherwood

Almost half a century later much of it spent fighting for trans rights he said there was "masses" he agreed with in this week's review of the NHS's gender identity services by Hilary Cass. He also identified strong influences on the report by groups and individuals with transphobic views, and said the "potential for positive change must be backed with resources".

Whittle, emeritus professor of equalities law at Manchester Metropolitan University, has become one of the UK's leading advocates for trans rights and has advised governments around the world. Now 68, he views the issues raised in the Cass report with the perspective of decades of personal and professional experience.

As a child, "I had no doubt that something was deeply wrong - and I had no doubt what it was," he said. At one particular school sports day "there were boys' races and girls' races, and I suddenly realised that I was always going to be in the wrong race".