Ireland is continuing to kick equality goals in 2015.
This week, they’ve announced that trans-gender people over the age of 18 will be allowed to self-declare a gender for the purposes of updating passports, getting married, or obtaining a new birth certificate or driving license.
The Gender Recognition Bill, currently before the Oireachtas (Republic of Ireland’s parliament, consisting of the president, House of Representatives, and the Senate), will make it unnecessary for trans people to seek testimony from a psychiatrist of endocrinologist in order for their gender to be recognised by the state.
It also – just as importantly – no longer includes a section that would have forced married people who transition their gender to either divorce, or not have their transition legally recognised.
“This is a momentous moment,” said Sara Phillips, chair of the Transgender Equality Support Network. “To be given the respect to self-determine our gender is true equality. For once I can believe our community are seen as full citizens. Today, I am so proud of our country.”
In Australia, trans people must have gone undergone a sex affirmation procedure (and have this verified by two doctors or medical practitioners) and not be married in order to have their gender legally recognised.
via The Journal
