Joint Statement: Greens & Alex Greenwich MP to push for greater Trans and Intersex recognition and protections

The recent report into a NSW state based same-sex marriage bill highlighted the problems the trans community faces with relation to forced divorces. Greens MLC Mehreen Faruqi and Independent MLA Alex Greenwich will draft amendments to the Births Deaths and Marriages Act 1995 to end this unnecessary requirement

The process of amending the Birth Deaths and Marriages Act 1995 needs to be handled separately from a state based marriage bill, and the Greens Dr Faruqi and Independent Mr Greenwich will work with Greens MLA Jamie Parker, Rainbow Labor and their colleagues in the other parties to give the proposed amendments the best chance of passing both houses. 

The Greens and Mr Greenwich will also seek to amend the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act to widen the scope of the act to include protections for the intersex community, adopting the definitions used in the Federal Sex Discrimination Act.

Dr Faruqi said:

“It is unacceptable that relationships and families can be torn apart so callously by discrimination ingrained in NSW law. It is time the law fully recognises and protects our Trans and Intersex communities.”

Mr Greenwich said:

“The Trans and Intersex communities currently have to deal with unnecessary, cruel, and out-dated discrimination in NSW legislation and we will work hard to end this”