Sex and gender recognition (page 1 of 7)

For an introduction to these issues, see our page on identification documents

Intersex in surveys and forms

Joint statement on the 2021 Census

Intersex Human Rights Australia and the National LGBTI Health Alliance issue this statement following news reports on the 2021 Census.

the shape of Tasmania, in purple

Tasmania: unfinished business

IHRA welcomes aspects of the Justice and Related Legislation (Marriage Amendments) Bill 2018, that has been passed by the Tasmanian Parliament. In particular, insertion of the attribute of “sex characteristics” in law is very welcome. However, we note that anti-discrimination protections on grounds of sex characteristics only apply to persons with intersex variations of sex…
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the shape of NT, in purple

Submission to the NT 2018 inquiry on birth registration

In November 2018, we made a brief submission to the Social Policy Scrutiny Committee, Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory regarding reform of birth registration. Our submission was made in line with the Darlington Statement.

the shape of WA, in purple

Submission to the Law Reform Commission of WA

Debate about legal gender recognition in Western Australia has thankfully shifted the debate in Australia from one focused on the recognition of non-binary gender categories to one that questions the necessity of legal registration of sex and gender at all.

Journal of Bioethical Inquiry logo

Morgan Carpenter: new peer-reviewed papers on medical “normalisation” and legal “othering”

Update: The book chapter is now available freely via the author’s website We are pleased to share a current and recent peer-reviewed journal article by co-executive director Morgan Carpenter, on intersex health and human rights, and an associated book chapter. In an open access peer-reviewed journal article and a book chapter, Morgan describes contradictions where…
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My Body, My Choice

The Yogyakarta Principles plus 10

An important and long-awaited supplement to the Yogyakarta Principles is published today. The Principles apply international human rights law in relation to sexual orientation, gender identity, and now also gender expression and sex characteristics.

Steph Lum in Geneva, 2018

Steph Lum: speech to Canberra think tank on LGBTIQ inclusion

Steph Lum gave this speech to the Inclusive Canberra think tank, held by the ACT LGBTIQ Ministerial Advisory Council, on 14 November 2017. Tonight I am speaking as a young person with an intersex variation. I’m really encouraged that we have such a positive environment here in the ACT and there’s a lot of energy…
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the shape of SA, in purple

Birth certificate reform in South Australia

In November 2016, a diverse group of people with intersex variations participated in a parliamentary briefing, including intersex women, intersex men and people with other gender identities, talking about the issues that concerned us: of isolation, unnecessary medicalisation, and lack of bodily autonomy. In March 2017, more than twenty current and future leaders of the…
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