The Scottish Government’s “dithering and delay” on proposed gender recognition reforms has helped create a “toxic environment” for transgender people, union leaders have insisted. The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has urged ministers to press ahead with proposed legislation on gender recognition – which was shelved in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to this it also wants to see Government action to bring about a “real end” to gay conversion therapy. The Scottish Trades Union Congress made the plea ahead of its annual LGBT+ Workers Conference – the 10th time the event has taken place. Willie Docherty, head of the organisation’s LGBT+ workers’ committee insisted that the Scottish Government’s delay to proposed legislation, which would make it easier for transgender people to self-identify, had “helped create a toxic environment” and had “in fact pushed trans rights back”.