PORTRAYAL OF 'HAYLEY' IN CORONATION STREET

Early day motion 1655, tabled 19 October 1998 by Lynne Jones (Labour). Signed by 25 members.

That this House congratulates the scriptwriters, actors and producers of Coronation Street for their sensitive and realistic portrayal of Hayley, a transsexual woman; is particularly pleased that Granada consulted members of groups representing transsexuals about the day to day problems faced by people who are suffering from, or have undergone treatment for, gender dysphoria; notes the surprising, but satisfying, lack of media hysteria about the Hayley character; gives special regard to Julie Hesmondhalgh, the actress playing Hayley, who has made so much effort to find out about what it is to be transsexual; and hopes that the Government will soon see fit to guarantee transsexual people full civil rights, including the right to correct birth certificates and enter into marriage, so that Hayley and Roy will, like any other couple, be entitled to make a state-recognised, lifelong commitment to one another if they so wish.

Signatures by party: Labour 18, Liberal Democrat 6, Unknown 1.