Image source, Getty Images

As MSPs continue to go through the latest round of amendments to the bill, it's worth having a quick recap on the current law and how things could change.

As things stand, people looking to obtain a gender recognition certificate - the legal recognition of a trans person's "acquired" gender - need to apply, external to a UK gender recognition panel.

Typically, they must present a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

This is defined by the NHS, external as being caused by a "mismatch" between their biological sex (whether they were born physically male or female) and their gender identity (the way in which they see and describe themselves).

Applicants need to provide two medical reports, one from a specialist detailing their diagnosis and another listing any treatment or surgery they may have had to change their sexual characteristics.

They also must prove they have lived full-time in their acquired gender for at least two years - for example showing they have used a different name in official documents, or changed their gender on their driving licence or passport - and swear an oath that they intend to continue for the rest of their lives.

The debate and votes will go on... the result should be the samepublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 21 December 2022

14:01 GMT 21 December 2022

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent

MSPs are going to debate and vote on scores of amendments this afternoon.

But yesterday’s session underlined that there is little chance of many of them actually passing.

The story of last night’s late sitting was that the government has been able to vote down all opposition challenges. Other parties simply don’t have the numbers to defeat them.

It’s been close in some cases – one amendment was actually tied, so fell on the presiding officer’s casting vote – but there have also been a lot of blowouts in the 118-0 range.

There’s a long way to go yet, but ultimately everything in this bill is likely to be what the government wants to be in it.

It’s also assured to pass when the final debate begins – the only question really is when.

Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent

Yesterday's debate was a long one.

As the clock approached midnight, MSPs were warned the lights would go out automatically.

By then, some were beginning to mutiny. Could the Scottish Parliament seriously continue to call itself family friendly when politicians were being asked to consider amendments to legislation in the wee small hours of the morning?

Security staff, catering staff, Parliament clerks all stuck at work well after their usual finish times, because the government wants the Gender Recognition Reform bill to be passed before Christmas.

At lunchtime on Tuesday, MSPs were showing each other the snacks they'd packed to keep themselves going.

As the points of order mounted, there were mutterings of filibustering, and the Labour business manager Neil Bibby was applauded when he accused the Conservatives of time-wasting. Delays were compounded when the Tories insisted on pushing every amendment to a vote, even when its proposer didn't want to move it and the result was a foregone conclusion.

When the Scottish Parliament was established, the idea was that it would be more family friendly than Westminster, with more standard office hours. In practice, that convention is often ripped up at the end of term, when there's a last minute rush to pass legislation before the start of a recess.

Questions are being asked about whether such a late sitting was really necessary in this case. MSPs are due to finish up for Christmas at lunchtime on Thursday. The afternoon is free.

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent

Holyrood back in session to continue the marathon consideration of gender reforms.

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone confirms today's timings have been extended in advance by up to two hours. That may still be rather optimistic...

Image source, PA Media

Yesterday's proceedings at Holyrood ended with a vote that young people aged 16 and 17 will be allowed to change their legal gender.

It came after he Scottish government rejected moves to keep the minimum age at 18.

Some SNP MSPs were among those who argued that 16 is too young to make such a "profound change".

But the government said lowering the age was in keeping with other rights and responsibilities people gain at 16.

Image source, PA Media

It you are new to this issue, the legislation going through Holyrood aims to make it easier for people in Scotland to change their legally recognised gender.

MSPs are considering dozens of proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Bill, external before finally voting on whether to pass it later on Wednesday.

The controversial proposals were previously shelved in the face of opposition from some senior SNP politicians, women's groups and Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

But the SNP resurrected the plans after its victory in the last Holyrood election.

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of events at Holyrood, with debates and voting on the Gender Recognition Act.

MSPs are spending a second day working their way through amendments to controversial plans to make it easier for trans people to change gender.

The debate and votes on the remaining amendments are due to resume at about 13:15.

You can follow it all here, where we will be bringing you all the decisions, reaction and analysis.