Advocates say allowing transgender Australians get passports in their preferred gender without the need for a sex change will save them from needless embarrassment and delays. The Australian Coalition for Equality says people will now be able to travel overseas without being stopped by officials because their passport doesn't match their public identity. "From that point of view, it's a huge step forward," says spokeswoman Martine Delaney. "It's an incredible embarrassment to be a woman for years but still have a passport that says they're male." Under the new rules, gender reassignment surgery will no longer be a prerequisite for sex and gender diverse people to get a passport identifying them the way they wish, they will however need to present a statement from a doctor supporting their preferred gender. "This is something that will be welcome news for many transgender and intersex people in Australia who from now on will not be required to undergo surgery or hormonal treatment in order to be able to express their gender identity," says Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. "By its action, Australia has placed itself in the vanguard of change and has scored an important victory for human rights." Pillay is urging other states around the world to review their own laws, policies, and practices to ensure that discrimination against transgender and intersex individuals is addressed in a systematic and effective way.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 16th September 2011 - 12:40pm