Scotland's New , Gender Recognition Bill , Blocked By UK Government.br CNN reports that the United Kingdom has blocked a new br law meant to allow trans people in Scotland to change br their legal gender without a medical diagnosis.br CNN reports that the United Kingdom has blocked a new br law meant to allow trans people in Scotland to change br their legal gender without a medical diagnosis.br The controversial move has reportedly br heightened the already highly emotional br debate over Scottish independence.br In a Twitter post on January 16, Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's br First Minister, called the UK government intervention , “a full-frontal attack on our democratically br elected Scottish Parliament and its ability to br make its own decisions on devolved matters.".br In a Twitter post on January 16, Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's br First Minister, called the UK government intervention , “a full-frontal attack on our democratically br elected Scottish Parliament and its ability to br make its own decisions on devolved matters.".br According to Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, br the decision was made because of the bill's br potential impact on UK-wide equality laws. .br Under Scotland's current system, trans people br must receive a medical diagnosis of gender br dysphoria and abide by a waiting time of two years.br CNN reports that trans people in Scotland br must also be at least 18 years old to be br eligible to change their gender marker. .br The proposed, and now vetoed, bill would have dropped br the medical diagnosis requirement, cut the waiting time br down to six months and lowered the age limit to 16. .br Last month, a majority of Scottish br lawmakers voted to approve the new br bill with a tally of 86 for and 39 against.br CNN reports that many in Scotland accuse br the UK government of blocking the bill for br political, rather than constitutional, reasons.