Self-identifying transgender children who are 12 and over will be able to change their birth certificate without needing to first undergo sex reassignment surgery, according to new laws just passed by the Queensland Labor government.
Previously, a person would need to undergo surgery before they could alter the gender on their birth certificate; now, the Births Deaths and Marriages Registration Bill 2022 has effectively done away with that provision.
Trans and gender-diverse individuals can now also legally change their name at the time they change their formal gender.
For children from 12 to 16, parents or guardians can apply directly to a government registry after certain criteria are met or via a court application. Children must also first receive an assessment from a counsellor but do not need a certificate from a doctor….