Four gender options in birth cert bill

‘Intersex’ and ‘X (unspecified)’ available by declaration if Parliament accepts guidance

Ppolitics eople will be able to change genders on their birth certificate by way of a statutory declaration, instead of needing a judge’s confirmation, under a bill reported back to Parliament.

And they will have options other than male or female — the options of “intersex” or “X (unspecified)” will also be available if Parliament adopts the recommendations of the Governance and Administration Committee on the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill.

The move to self-identification for gender changes on birth certificates rather than needing the approval of a court and medical evidence brings it into line with passports and drivers’ licences, committee chairman and National MP Brett Hudson said.

The bill is in the name of Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin, a New Zealand First MP. Assuming she has the support of her caucus, the changes look set to get the unanimous support of the Parliament.

Family First objects, saying historical documents should not be allowed to be manipulated by the state or politicians.

National director Bob McCoskrie said politicians wanted to ignore biological reality and, in the process, bring about confusion and ambiguity.

“A birth certificate is a historical record based on fact, not a political tool to further an ideology.

“By choosing your own gender in your birth certificate, the certificates will become an object of unscientific gender ideology and effectively tell medical professionals that they got it wrong at the time of birth.”

The changes would render certificates meaningless, he said.

Hudson said the original birth certificate would not be erased.

The public record might change but the original details would still be kept.

The committee recommends that changes in the birth certificate for a 16 or 17-year-old require the consent of their guardian and the recommendation of a health professional.

National had concerns with some elements of the bill, such as the broad definition of “health professional” which includes social workers.

But Hudson said his party had not wanted to stall the bill and wanted to show some trust in MPs across the House to get their concerns resolved.

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