Australia's human
rights office is pushing the federal government to
allow some people to classify themselves as a third gender,
intersex, for legal documents and procedures.
The Human Rights
and Equal Opportunities Commission issued a paper titled
"Sex Files -- The Legal Recognition of Sex: Proposed Reform"
to transgender advocates across the country. The paper
proposes the third gender classification to be
included on legal documents such as drivers licenses
and passports. The report was released in September,
according to the agency's website, but the news media were
not made aware of it until last week, the Sydney
Daily Telegraph reported Friday.
Sex and Gender
Education Australia, a transgender advocacy group, says
forms should include "other" as a fourth option, allowing
some not to identify as any sex.
The paper defines
intersex as people who "cannot or do not identify as
either male or female" and choose to be "identified on their
birth certificate and passport as intersex." Additionally,
those who cannot or choose not to have gender
reassignment surgery would "not be automatically
ineligible to request a change in their legal sex."
(Michelle Garcia, The Advocate)