Transgender people in Victoria are a step closer to being able to change their birth certificates to reflect their identity, after legislation was passed in the Parliament's lower house.
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The move did not have the support of the North East's Coalition MPs, who on Thursday voted against the change.
They did not speak in Parliament to outline their positions, but Benambra Bill Tilley posted on his Facebook page, criticising the government for leaving "the most contentious legislation to the last sitting day of the week".
"In essence it allow people to retrospectively amend your birth sex, traditionally male or female, by signing a stat dec," he said.
"There is no limit to your choice provided they are not obscene or offensive.
"The new certificates will not show your previous birth sex."
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Coalition MPs who did speak in Parliament denied they were against giving transgender people more rights, they were just concerned about issues such as community safety and the ability for criminals to change gender while in prison.
The legislation passed the lower house at about 5pm, followed by a round of applause from Labor MPs.
Minister for Women and Youth Gabrielle Williams said the Opposition's arguments had been used as a distraction.
"We need to bring the discussion back to what this bill is actually about, which is respecting people's true identities," she said.
"If your birth certificate does not reflect your identity, the way you look and feel, we know that impacts on your sense of self-worth and that in turn impacts on your health and wellbeing.
"For trans Victorians the inability to have their identity reflected in that paperwork essentially leaves them in a position where they are having to constantly explain themselves, constantly out themselves to total strangers and to constantly feel as though they do not belong in our community.
"I think for any fair-minded person, that should be an unacceptable outcome.
"That is ultimately what this bill is all about: it is about making it easier for trans Victorians to have a document that reflects who they truly are."
The legislation will now go to the upper house for debate.