Palaszczuk Government Acts on Discrimination

The Palaszczuk Government has just passed laws which recognise the existing marriages of people who undertake gender reassignment.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath said the amendments to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registrations Act 2003 removed a discriminatory and outdated legal restriction.

“Previously any Queenslander who has undergone sexual reassignment surgery had to divorce their partner to have their gender legally recognised,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“This is not a cost or a consequence any law of this State should impose on members of our community.

“It has been unjust and unfair and I’m proud to say this distressing choice will no longer be a requirement in Queensland. 

“I hope delivering this reform will go some way to helping the transgender community to live their lives openly and without judgment."

Today’s laws build on the Palaszczuk Government’s proud record on equal rights, including:

• Reintroducing civil partnerships
• Expunging historical homosexual offences
• Removing gay panic as a defence
• Standardising the age of consent
• Funding for the LGBTI Community Legal Centre 
• Same sex adoption

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