This article was originally published by QNews. You can find the original article here.
Just.Equal Australia wants Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, to clarify whether transgender Australians could be blocked from entering the United States under their legally-recognised name and gender identity, and lodge a protest if it is the case.
The move comes after Senator Wong told ABC radio that the Trump Government’s policy not to recognise the gender identity of trans and gender diverse people “is a matter for the United States”.
“The information we have gleaned from the U.S. is that trans and gender diverse Australians may not be able to enter the United States unless they deny who they are, even if they have Australian birth certificates and passports issued in accordance with Australian law that accurately reflect their gender identity,” Just.Equal spokesperson Sally Goldner said.
“This could create problems for trans and gender diverse Australians travelling for leisure, family or business, and potentially for transgender diplomatic staff in Penny Wong’s own department.”
“We will write to Penny Wong asking her to clarify the situation and urging her to lodge an official protest with the US Government if trans and gender diverse Australians could face discrimination.”
“Freedom of movement is a basic human right that should not be denied to trans and gender diverse Australians because of who we are.”
The executive order signed by President Trump, titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” contains provisions that could significantly impact the recognition of gender identity on official documents. Section 3(d) of the order directs U.S. agencies to ensure identification documents accurately reflect the “biological sex” of the holder as defined under the order.
‘We must resist threats to our basic rights’
In the US, GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis said queer people were “in all states, communities, families and workplaces” and deserve equality.
“On the day of the inauguration – which coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a celebration of one of our country’s most relentless civil rights heroes – we seek comfort in the long history of the fight for liberty and justice in America,” she said.
In light of the Trump government policy, Ellis urged the media and Americans to “elevate everyone’s right to be themselves and be safe.”
“Together we must hold the incoming administration to the promise of equal justice under law. We must resist threats to our basic American right to live freely and with dignity,” she said.
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