Media Release
Friday July 6th 2018
NEW GROUP CALLS FOR OVERDUE TRANSGENDER LAW REFORMS
Photo from launch attached
A new group was launched today in Hobart calling for what it says are overdue reforms to provide equality and dignity for transgender, intersex and gender diverse Tasmanians.
The group's formation comes as the state government plans to remove a requirement that transgender partners must divorce before their gender can be officially recognised, but it says the reform should go further to remove all discrimination.
Speaking at today's launch, Martine Delaney said she believes Tasmanians are ready for reform.
"Tasmania's strong Yes vote in last year's marriage equality survey makes us optimistic that we have the support of our fellow Tasmanians in our campaign for full equality."
"Our campaign will focus on lobbying politicians across all parties, gathering support from community organisations and encouraging individual Tasmanians to voice their support through petitions and webforms."
"Most of all we will encourage transgender and gender diverse Tasmanians to tell their personal stories so other Tasmanians can walk in our shoes."
Dede River said the reforms the group is seeking are long overdue.
"The reforms we seek are linked by the basic principles of equality, dignity and personal autonomy."
"Many nations including the UK and New Zealand have dropped the requirement for surgery, and 19 nations, including Ireland, Canada, Malta, Argentina, and Pakistan already require no medical intervention at all. Another four are in the process of removing requirements."
"Even at a federal level in Australia the surgery requirement has been removed for those seeking to have their true gender identity recognised on their passport."
"We want to see Tasmania take the lead in bringing the other states up to the standards that already prevail overseas."
Also speaking at today's launch, Roen Meijers, said law reform will help reduce the prejudice, abuse and discrimination transgender, intersex and gender diverse people face on a daily basis.
"A range of studies, including one by Beyond Blue, has found that the majority of young transgender and gender diverse people have experienced discrimination and abuse."
"Discriminatory laws provide a refuge for this kind of prejudice and abuse and must be removed if we are to be a more inclusive society for everyone."
Ms River said the group is calling for
- removing the requirement that transgender partners divorce before their gender identity can be recognised on their birth certificate
- removing the requirement that transgender people must have surgery before their gender identity can be officially recognised and allowing self-identification instead
- an end to surgical intervention on intersex children unless it is approved by a body such as the Guardianship Board or is medically necessary to save a child's life
- stop collecting information on sex and gender on official documents where it isn't necessary and where it is necessary allowing an option other than male and female
Ms Delaney said the groups campaign will focus on
- lobbying politicians across all parties
- gathering support from community organisations
- providing everyday Tasmanians with an opportunity to express their support through petitions and webforms
- developing platforms for transgender and gender diverse Tasmanians to tell their personal stories
For a copy of this statement on the web, click
here
For more information contact Martine Delaney on 0417 530 621, Dede River on 0422 722 653 or Roen Meijers on 0409 056 868.
