AUSTRALIA: Gov't approves new transgender and intersex law to fight discrimination

Submitted by crinadmin on

Summary: Intersex individuals, who do not identify as completely male or female biologically, can now legally list their gender as "X" but people whose biological gender doesn't fit the way they see themselves, will not be allowed to tick "X," but will be able to choose whether they are male or female, if backed by a doctor's statement explaining they have started their transition phase.

[16 September 2011] - Australian passports will carry a new gender category beyond male and female with the indeterminate or X category being introduced in an effort to curb discrimination against transgender and intersex people.

Intersex individuals, who do not identify as completely male or female biologically, can now legally list their gender as "X" but people whose biological gender doesn't fit the way they see themselves, will not be allowed to tick "X," but will be able to choose whether they are male or female, if backed by a doctor's statement explaining they have started their transition phase.

The move has been praised as a massive step forward by Australian senator, Louise Pratt whose partner was born female and is now identified as a man.

"There have been very many cases of people being detained at airports by immigration in foreign countries simply because their passports don't reflect what they look like," she told Australian radio.

"It's very distressing, highly inconvenient and frankly sometimes dangerous."

Kevin Rudd, Australia's foreign minister, also said: "This amendment makes life easier and significantly reduces the administrative burden for sex and gender diverse people who want a passport that reflects their gender and physical appearance."

Peter Hyndal, who worked, on behalf of human rights advocacy group A Gender Agenda, with the Australian government on the reforms, said "It's amazingly positive," he said. "It's the biggest single piece of law reform related to transgender and intersex issues at a commonwealth level ever in this country - mind-blowing."

The move has been welcomed by activists who point out that the Australian new reform puts the country ahead of Canada or the US where passports permit gender changes but do not have an X category.

 
Further Information:

 

Country: 
Australia
Issues: 
Gender and girls
Author: 
Anissa Haddadi
Attachment Link: 
http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/215155/20110916/australia-s-new-transgender-pa...

Please note that these reports are hosted by CRIN as a resource for Child Rights campaigners, researchers and other interested parties. Unless otherwise stated, they are not the work of CRIN and their inclusion in our database does not necessarily signify endorsement or agreement with their content by CRIN.