Sex Change Poses Passport ‘flurry’ (Press, 18 August 1980)
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Summary: Sex Change Poses Passport ‘flurry’ (Press, 18 August 1980)
In a report tabled in Parliament on 18 August 1980, the Chief Ombudsman, Mr G. R. Laking, highlighted issues faced by passport officers in the Department of Internal Affairs regarding a complainant seeking a new passport after undergoing a sex change operation. The individual requested a passport reflecting her new gender as female but encountered significant delays, with the department taking eight months to make a decision. The Secretary of Internal Affairs acknowledged the lack of understanding and swiftness displayed by his officers in handling the request. The Ombudsman noted that similar cases had been dealt with before and that the application should have been processed easily upon the submission of a medical certificate confirming the sex change operation. The situation underscored the need for improved protocols and sensitivity within government departments when dealing with such personal and unique circumstances.
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