Gender optional on birth certificates
Tasmania is set to become the first Australian state or territory to make the inclusion of a child’s sex on a birth certificate optional. The Lower House voted narrowly in favour of the reforms yesterday with Liberal Speaker Sue Hickey siding with Labor and Greens to get the reform over the line.
In the ACT, gender on birth certificates is categorised as "M", "F'' or "X".
The landmark reforms still have to pass through the Tasmanian Upper House to become law and a child’s sex would still be recorded on medical records.
Passports were changed in 2011 to allow people to state if they identify as male, female or other.
The transgender community was overjoyed at the result. Transforming Tasmania member Martine Delaney said the amendments were a massive step in a 14-year battle. “It means the trans and gender-diverse people in Tasmania will be on a level playing field when it comes to everyday life,” she said.
Tasmania was the last jurisdiction to decriminalise homosexuality and cross-dressing.
It just beggars belief.