The Sarah Times

MEDIA RELEASE
TRANSITION POINT FOR TRANSGENDER RIGHTS IN VICTORIA

  Victoria's transgender people entered a new era after the Legislative Council passed the Equal Opportunity (Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation) Bill. Emotions ran high as transgender people and friends saw the bill passed at 9.33 PM on Wednesday 6 September, effectively marking a new era in the lives of transgender people.

  TGV co-conveners MS Kayleen White and MS Sally Goldner welcomed the legal recognition of transgender and intersex people after 25 years of struggle that saw a "staggering number of lives either devastated or in some cases lost completely." However, MS Goldner and MS White stated "while we should always remember and respect the past wrongs, we now need to move into the future and build on the foundation laid by the new laws. The strong sense of cross-partisanship now shown on transgender issues also offers a springboard to move forward." The co-conveners also pointed out the increased strength now available to enable a fair outcome for those needing protection. "The experience of the Equal Opportunity Commission in administering Equal Opportunity Law along with the specific knowledge of transgender people would also help ensure effective practical implementation of the new laws."

  "With international focus on Victoria with the upcoming World Economic Forum, the general support from Victoria's Parliament demonstrates our state's ability to take a lead on ethical and human issues."

  TGV also welcomed the inclusion of the attribute covering sexual orientation, stating the offense caused to all people by defining relationships merely as sexual activity was now at an end.

  "It is now up to the broad alliance both within the transgender community and across the transgender and allied communities to ensure ongoing growth of the quality of life of transgender people."

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