Perth, Australia — Do you need a penis to be called a man? That is the question facing the High Court after two female-to-male transsexuals took their quest to be legally identified as men to the court on Wednesday.

In 2007 and 2008 the appellants had their request for gender reassignment heard by authorities in Western Australia and it was rejected.

In 2010 the Supreme Court of Western Australia upheld the earlier decision rejecting the applications.

The unnamed pair have now taken their case to the High Court.

While the genitals of transsexuals were discussed, the court also heard debate suggesting both the lifestyle and appearance of people needed to be taken into account if gender reassignment was to be allowed.

If the transsexuals are successful it will be a major blow to Western Australia’s Gender Reassignment Act which defines gender characteristics as “the physical characteristics by virtue of which a person is identified as male or female”.

The hearing continues.

©Peter Veness, Sydney Morning Herald 2011. All Rights Reserved