In most Australian states, transgender people must undergo sex reassignment surgery before changing the sex on their birth certificate.



A bill being put forward by the current Labor government in Victoria would see the surgery requirement removed in line with federal guidelines on sex and gender.

It will also get rid of the "forced divorce" requirement, which means transgender people who are married cannot change the sex on their birth certificate unless they divorce their partner.

The bill passed through Victoria's lower house last week, but not without a fight.

Jibes flew freely across the parliament as a procession of Liberal MPs stood to denounce the bill. Its passage in the upper house, where Labor has not got a majority, looks uncertain.

"The attack on trans, gender diverse and intersex people from the opposition is disappointing and it will make it much more challenging to get this legislation through the upper house," minister for equality Martin Foley told BuzzFeed News.



"This Bill is about giving people the respect they deserve and we call on all members of the Legislative Council to give it their support."

