Queer Liberation Boorloo (QLB) called a protest on August 11 to pressure the Western Australian government to support community-led amendments to its gender recognition reforms.
Speakers at the “Trans Rights: Get it Right” protest in Northbridge included representatives of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and Pride WA.
Activists called on Labor to support self-ID, extend rights to young adults from 16 years old and allow people to specify their own gender marker.
They also want loopholes removed from anti-discrimination laws.
“The bill will abolish the gender board,” said QLB activist Nova Sobieralski, “but in all other respects it is among the most conservative gender recognition bill in Australia”.
Alex Wallace, also from QLB, said: “These amendments are simple. They are community led and driven. This isn’t about politics … This is about doing what is right for the trans and gender-diverse community of Western Australia.”
Intersex and transgender activist Del expressed concern over the government’s earlier proposal to include an “intersex/indeterminate” marker alongside “male”, “female” and “non-binary”.
Intersex advocates disagree with including the “intersex” marker, because it conflates sex and gender. Del believes gender should be removed from identification documents altogether.
Nat Latter, from Rainbow Futures WA (RFWA) said: “I don’t know what it takes to get the government to listen … But I do know that the more we are united as a community, the harder it is for them to ignore us.”
RFWA has been campaigning for these reforms for the better part of a decade.
Kate Salinger, from PFLAG, also emphasised the importance of solidarity between oppressed groups. Michael Felix, representing Pride WA, spoke about building support among the LGBTIQ movement.
The Legislative Council is scheduled to debate Labor’s gender recognition reforms from August 13.