Victory in court fight over gender neutral passport

A COURT ruling that could pave the way for gender-neutral passports was slammed yesterday.

Christie Elan-Cane, who was born female but now identifies herself as “non-gendered”, argued that people should not be forced to specify whether they are male or female on applications. The Government faces a judicial review in the High Court after judges gave Elan-Cane the green light to challenge the system.

The battle, which could directly affect just one per cent of the population, is set to cost the taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds.

Andrea Williams, of the Christian Legal Centre, said passports “identify who we are” and there is “no scientific basis for separating gender from our biological sex.” She added: “This has to be the authorities pandering to excessive ideologically driven movements that want to obliterate the notion of biological sex.

“We can’t determine our sex. It’s determined for us by biology. We should not overhaul our system, which is for security and safety, for the sake of something that is currently a fashionable political cause that will eventually pass.” In court lawyers for the Passport Office argued that creating a third category would increase demand for consular support abroad for gender-neutral British citizens, cost too much to change records and affect other legislation.

Ten countries, including Australia, Canada, India, Pakistan, Germany and Nepal already allow people to select “X” on application forms.

Elan-Cane, who first raised the issue with the passport office in 1995, said after yesterday’s hearing: “I’m elated. It’s just one stage but it’s going the right way.”

Radio host Nick Ferrari told ITV’s This Morning: “I’m more concerned about the human rights of innocent people who might be victims of potential terror attacks.

“If an alert is put out for a 35-yearold man or woman, extra attention is paid to blokes or women, who look 35. I think it’s a ridiculous step and rarely has an idea struck me that has such little merit.”

A full hearing of the challenge will be held at a later date.