Document Actions
Norrie has ungendered certificate withdrawn: government must reform laws
Friday 19 March 2010
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon today called on the NSW Attorney General to reform laws which prohibit Sydneysider Norrie, who identifies as a person living without a sex, having this legally recognised by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
"The NSW government should act to implement a key recommendation of a 2009 Human Rights Commission report that a person over 18 should be able to choose to have an unspecified sex noted on documents and records," Ms
Rhiannon said.
This week the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages deemed invalid a previously issued certificate which established Norrie's sex as 'non-specified'. Norrie today lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission. Ms Rhiannon was invited there to provide support.
"The Attorney General told me in Parliament today that following the extensive media coverage of Norrie's win, legal advice was sought from the Crown Solicitor.
"The Attorney General says NSW laws require that a person in this situation must have their sex stated as either male or female.
"If there is a problem with the law that stops the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages from issuing such a certificate, the compassionate thing is for the NSW Government to change the law to support Norrie and others in a similar situation.
"Doctors have declared that Norrie cannot be categorised as a male or female and clearly Norrie's Recognised Details Certificate should reflect that.
"The Australian Human Rights Commission report, The Sex Files,
addressed the legal recognition of sex in documents and government records.
"Norrie received a Recognised Details Certificate on 25 February 2010 which had ‘not specified' listed in the 'Sex' field.
"Norrie is now back at square one and it is understandable that Norrie has made a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission.
"If NSW laws prohibit Norrie and other gender diverse people having their status recognised, the NSW government should act to change these laws, in line with the recommendations of the Human Rights Commission," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: 0427 861 568
