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The report on Stephen Whittle ("A right to be Mr and Mrs", THES , July 19), carefully avoided a number of problems and overstates the extent to which society has become more accepting of transsexuals.

First, the original birth certificate is a historical record of something that has taken place, even if it has afterwards been superseded by gender re-assignment. This record is necessary for reasons of public policy and planning. The demands of the transsexual lobby and Liberty, according to its website, go further and propose that in order to end discrimination, birth certificates should no longer categorise male or female at birth.

Angela Pinter
London E2