Gender could be optional on birth certificates in Queensland under proposed changes

Queensland parents may soon have the option of not declaring a gender for their babies on their birth certificates, according to a radical new proposal.

The details of the proposal were discussed with two women’s groups earlier this month, where they were told the terms ‘mother’ and ‘father’ could also be optional.

People would also be allowed to change their gender every 12 months, and they could choose any descriptor for their gender on the document excluding numbers, symbols, offensive language or if it was obscene or ‘contrary to the public interest’.  

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Queensland parents may soon have the option of not declaring a gender for their babies on their birth certificates, according to a radical new proposal

Terms like ‘mother’ and ‘father’ could be optional according to the proposal. Pictured is a mock up of an Australian birth certificate

Anyone over the age of 16 would be able to self-identify as another gender as long as they had a supporting statement from someone who’s known them for at least 12 months, women at the meeting told the Courier Mail.

Children aged between 12 and 16 could identify as another gender if they had the support from one or both parents while under 12s would at least need the support from both.

A Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General spokesman said the changes being considered were to ‘improve recognition for trans and gender diverse people’. Pictured is Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk

Evidence from child health practitioners and legal support may also be needed. 

NSW and Queensland both require people to undergo surgery in order to change their gender on their birth certificate, but this could change in the Sunshine State.

International Women’s Day Brisbane Meanjin representative Kelly Carr said she struggled to wrap her head around the proposed changes.

‘As a mother, when I heard that using mother on the birth certificate was optional, I nearly fell off my chair,’ she said.

People would also be allowed to change their gender every 12 months under the proposal. Pictured is the rainbow flag, the symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer pride

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A Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General spokesman said the changes being considered were to ‘improve recognition for trans and gender diverse people’.

The spokesperson also confirmed the terms ‘mother’ and ‘father’ wouldn’t be removed from birth certificates but said other options would be made available.

‘Consideration is being given to additional options to allow same sex couples to register as mother/mother or father/father, if they choose to,’ they said.

‘If this change was adopted, it would align Queensland with other jurisdictions.’

The details of the proposal were discussed with two women’s groups earlier this month, where they were told the terms ‘mother’ and ‘father’ could also be optional (stock image)