Kelly Ellis A transgender rights advocate says Justice Minister Judith Collins has thrown trans people under the bus in blocking a move to include gender identity in the Human Rights Act. Labour MP Louisa Wall’s move to have trans people clearly and specifically protected from discrimination has been thrown out because Collins says it's too "controversial" to be fast-tracked into law. "This shameful delay can only reflect a desire by her and and her cronies to counter any suggestion that we should be equal in the eyes of the law," says TransAdvocates founder Kelly Ellis, who is also the Labour candidate for Whangarei. Ellis says Collins is swimming against the tide. "She might have succeeded this time, but we're going to come again and again until we succeed." One of the arguments against trans inclusion is that, arguably, they are included under the definition of "sex". Ellis, who is a lawyer, says this expanded definition is arguable either way and it’s wrong to say the law is untested. "Human rights laws are often aspirational and provide a touchstone for those involved in interpreting the law. I always quote the Human Rights Act when I’m representing trans prisoners. A section of my submissions addresses this and argues that we are included under the definition. "No one else has to argue they are included under the Human Rights Act. Trans people are on the outside looking at those lucky people who have express protection. "This is an international disgrace. At a time when our poor compliance has been noted by the United Nations, here we are as a nation, thumbing our noses at them and reminding people like me that some are more equal than others."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 8th July 2014 - 10:20am