Victoria,
Australia — Legislation allowing transsexual
people to change their birth certificate gender has
passed the Victorian Lower House with unanimous
support.
The legislation has been
supported by the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby
<http://www.vglrl.org.au/>
and by transgender activists despite qualms about some of
its stipulations, specifically allowing only non-married,
post-operative transsexuals to change their
certificate.
Jenny Mikakos,
Parliamentary Secretary for Justice said that up until
its introduction, Victoria was the only state not
allowing transsexuals such changes.
"As a Government
we recognise that transsexuals are one of the most
discriminated against minorities, and that having a
birth certificate in their affirmed sex will help
reduce discrimination," she told MCV.
Karen Gurney from the
WOMAN network <http://www.w-o-m-a-n.net/>
said many transsexual women would be "very, very
grateful" the legislation has passed.
"I know of several girls
who are waiting to get married but don't want to front up
to the minister with their birth certificate as is," she
said. "It's very important for them."
Lauren Christopher from
Transgender Victoria said the bill would lead to a
substantive improvement in human rights of transgender
people but she was disappointed it was "watered down",
saying "it could have gone a lot further".
But Mikakos defended the
current bill, which should go to the Upper House in late
May and is expected to be supported, against its
critics.
"The bill's provisions
are similar to the majority of other states and
territories in Australia," she said.
David McCarthy from the
Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby agree that while the bill
"did not go as far as we'd like", it "sent a very
important message of support to our trans friends in
their quest for equality and justice".
