Sally Goldner appointed a Member of the Order (AM) of Australia
A transgender advocate who is campaigning for reforms to birth certificate laws and for more inclusive forms and public documents has been appointed a Member of the Order (AM) of Australia in the Australia Day honours.
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A transgender advocate who is campaigning for reforms to birth certificate laws and for more inclusive forms and public documents has been awarded an AM in the Australia Day honours.
Bulleen transgender woman Sally Goldner says rigid Victorian laws don’t go far enough to recognise trans and gender diverse people.
Ms Goldner, who in 2016 became the first transgender woman to be inducted on the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll, is a spokeswoman for Transgender Victoria.
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“We’re looking to get some reforms to birth certificate laws in Victoria because they’re not inclusive,” she said.
Current laws allow people over 18 to change the sex on their birth certificate if they’ve had gender affirmation surgery.
“It shouldn’t be based on surgery because some people can’t afford it or can’t undergo the operation for other medical reasons,” Ms Goldner said.
“And changes for minors should be allowed with parental or guardian approval.”
Ms Goldner said other forms and documents also ought to recognise diversity.
“We need inclusive forms and documents not just having male and female options but making it work in a win/win way for everyone,” she said.
Ms Goldner also works with companies and undertakes speaking engagements to help raise awareness of LGBTIQ concerns.
“They key parts now are diversity and education. People want to do the right thing but don’t always know what that looks like so we can help with that, and it’s a huge relief,” she said.
“We particularly work a lot in aged care — LGBTIQ older people are perhaps less likely to disclose their status so service providers won’t know what they need.”
Ms Goldner, who is also a member of the Victorian Bi-Alliance, helped found Transfamily, a support organisation for parents and siblings of transgender people.
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