Transgender people in New South Wales could soon be able to change their sex on their birth certificates without getting surgery, but gay teachers will still be able to be fired from some schools after a watered-down proposal received the premier’s support.
The premier, Chris Minns, will this week ask the Labor caucus to back independent MP Alex Greenwich’s equality bill after a raft of amendments were made, including dropping changes to the Anti-Discrimination Act governing schools.
It is expected the legislation will be passed in the next two weeks.
“It would be a really powerful affirmation and show of support from the government to the trans community,” Greenwich said.
“It would be empowering the trans community in NSW to have identity that truly reflects who they are.”
The Sydney MP, who introduced the proposed legislation a year ago, said it was “heartbreaking” to lose some parts of the proposed reforms.
He said he hopes to pursue changes to laws governing the treatment of gay students and teachers after the NSW Law Reform Commission’s review into the Anti-Discrimination Act is handed down.
“I am seeking to achieve the reforms that I can get support for now, to improve the safety and lives of LGBTQ people and continuing on all of the other items,” Greenwich said. “It’s not over.”
The reforms include protections for intersex children from unnecessary medical interventions and the creation of a domestic violence offence for outing or threatening to out an LGBTQI partner.
Equality Australia’s chief executive, Anna Brown, said NSW had a chance to change its “archaic, cruel and discriminatory laws”.
“Although it’s deeply disappointing some reforms have been removed from the equality bill, it still contains vital measures that will improve the lives of people across NSW,” she said.
Minns said it was time for the parliament to deal with the legislation that he wanted to see passed.
He said the changes to the birth certificate regulations would bring NSW into line with other states and mean people were not “forced” into major surgeries.
“If people want to make that decision, that’s fine, but I do not think the state should be pursuing policies that force people into doing it,” Minns said.
The opposition will meet this week to discuss the new legislation before coming to a position on the bill. Greenwich hoped Coalition MPs would be allowed a conscience vote.
