Australia: ACT approves new gender identity birth certificate rules for trans and intersex people
In a unanimous and emotional vote on Thursday, new laws allowing trans and intersex people the right to alter their birth certificates were passed in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Assembly.
Crowds cheered as politicians from the Labor, Liberal and Green parties all voted to approve the laws which will allow birth certificates to be altered to reflect the gender identity of trans and intersex people.
This includes the addition of the category “X”, as well as “male” and “female”.
Politicians commended those who had given testimony and shared personal stories of discrimination, frustration and acceptance.
Attorney General Simon Corbell said the law was a “good, indeed a great”, representation of the government’s support for social inclusion.
