Good news, QLD Parliament has just passed a law to make it easier for trans people to amend the gender on their birth certificates
A big win for trans rights that leaves only NSW lagging behind
Last night Queensland Parliament passed long-fought-for laws allowing trans and gender-diverse people to more easily change gender markers on their birth certificate. After the law passed, there were reports of loud cheering from the people watching.
Previously in Queensland, trans people could only apply to change the sex on their birth certificates where they'd undergone sexual reassignment surgery, which is not only costly, but shouldn’t be any sort of pre-requisite for legally reflecting your gender, and should remain as simply an individual choice.
The new laws instead require people to supply a supporting statement from someone they've known for 12 months or longer. They'll also allow people to change their name at the same time as an alteration of sex.
The bill also makes gender markers optional on future birth certificates, and also has options for genders beyond just male and female - meaning that non-binary and other gender diverse folks can finally be recognised too.
The law change brings Queensland more into line with other Australian jurisdictions – however NSW remains the last hold-out. Advocates are renewing their attention on the state to allow trans people to self-determine their legal gender.
As Alastair Lawrie, policy and advocacy director at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, told The Guardian:
“There’s a need for reform on birth certificates, there’s a need for reform on anti-discrimination law, there’s a need for reform on intersex surgeries, there’s a need for reform on conversion practices. In all of those areas NSW is behind most other jurisdictions.”
Queensland born head of the Trans Justice Project Jackie Mae Turner called the law change a “huge win for trans rights” and made a point on Twitter to thank the “Brisbane activists, community members who showed up, and those who faced off against some of the most vile hate from opponents and managed to mobilise real public support behind the QLD bill.”
Amy Sargeant, an activist, artist, and trans rights advocate involved in the fight for this law to pass in Queensland told Scoopid that “the passing of this bill is the result of decades of work by grassroots activists. It is not the achievement of one political party or person, but of all the trans activists and our allies who have forced this change after decades of direct action.”
“The passing of this bill signifies a great step in the ongoing fight for trans liberation. This is a fight led by grassroots activists, the people getting out and making noise, the people stepping up and speaking up in the face of violent extremist bigotry.”
Amy also told me that it was important to acknowledge that the Queensland Labor Party who voted to pass the bill also shut local trans community leaders out of discussions about the bill.
“Myself and others asked repeatedly for years for a seat at the table and didn’t get a single response back.”
Despite being thrilled about the win, Amy also pointed out that Queensland Labor voted down Greens amendments to remove the “trans tax” on updating these birth documents.
“We will still have to pay hundreds for these necessary changes. It doesn’t have to be this way, and we will keep fighting. Trans liberation is only achievable when we all get up and fight for it.”
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