CALL ON WONG TO DEFEND AUS TRAVELLERS AND DIPLOMATS IN WAKE OF TRUMP TRANS BAN
Just.Equal Australia wants Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, to clarify whether transgender Australians could be blocked from entering the United States under their legally-recognised name and gender identity, and lodge a protest if it is the case.
The move comes after Senator Wong told ABC radio that the Trump Government's policy not to recognise the gender identity of trans and gender diverse people "is a matter for the United States".
Just.Equal spokesperson, Sally Goldner, said,
"The information we have gleaned from the U.S. is that trans and gender diverse Australians may not be able to enter the United States unless they deny who they are, even if they have Australian birth certificates and passports issued in accordance with Australian law that accurately reflect their gender identity."
"This could create problems for trans and gender diverse Australians travelling for leisure, family or business, and potentially for transgender diplomatic staff in Penny Wong's own department."
"We will write to Penny Wong asking her to clarify the situation and urging her to lodge an official protest with the US Government if trans and gender diverse Australians could face discrimination."
"Freedom of movement is a basic human right that should not be denied to trans and gender diverse Australians because of who we are."
According to section of 3(d) of the Executive Order signed yesterday by President Trump,
"The Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall implement changes to require that government-issued identification documents, including passports, visas, and Global Entry cards, accurately reflect the holder's sex, as defined under section 2 of this order."
More here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/
Yesterday, in regard to the relevant Executive Order, Senator Wong told the ABC Radio National breakfast program that,
"I, as the Foreign Minister, don't intend to comment on these domestic matters. These are matters for the United States. I don't intend to comment on President Trump's domestic policy announcements."
More here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/penny-wong-on-trump-s-inauguration-/104840580
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information contact Sally Goldner on 0407 946 242.
