Passport Law Changes – More From Coalition’s Bowl Of Unsavoury Wedges
Transgender Victoria has slammed the amendment of passport laws relating to transgender people – and the treatment of Stephanie Imbruglia – as a total disgrace.
“That Stephanie was referred to as ‘Sir’ when clearly identifying as female is insulting and vilifying. It is yet another reminder of the lack of federal equal opportunity law covering people experiencing gender identity issues and the need for urgent reform in this area,” stated Transgender Victoria media spokesperson Sally Goldner.
“Those people needing gender affirmation surgery from overseas now face a further impediment to receiving their necessary medical treatment”.
“Given the failure to support adequate transgender health services within Australia, this change to passport laws has to increase the risk to the health and life of transgender people.”
“We also continue to question the fact that some Australians have lesser freedom of movement and less rights than other Australians in that transgender Australians are unable to obtain a passport. This breaches the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, especially Article 13. Further, without a passport stating the correct sex, this also makes the journey home for those having completed surgery more difficult.”
“We also express strong doubt that after communicating with relevant authorities over the inadequacies of the previous laws within the last six months, the Federal Coalition sneaks through, without consultation, a policy that contemptuously and arrogantly worsens what was previously in place.”
“We reject any basis for the changes to the law on security grounds as we are not aware of transgender people being more likely to give away SIM cards”.
“We also reject the loophole for same-sex marriage argument: if the recipient of a temporary passport under the previous laws failed to complete surgery than obviously the passport would be incorrect for any purpose. The loophole argument also shows another reason against piling irrationality on more irrationality in limiting marriage to only male and female.”
“This is yet another unhealthy serving of junk food politics from the Federal coalitionís bowl of unsavoury wedges,” concluded Ms Goldner.
For more information contact Sally Goldner on 0407 946 242.
See also
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legislation/LegislativeInstrument1.nsf/framelodg mentattachments/5681A7871644AF20CA25702200251B7F
(section 6.3)
http://sxnews.info/imagedb/displayimage.php?album=229&pos=11 http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
