Transgender Victorians will now have the freedom to choose the gender on their birth certificates without gender reassignment surgery.

The birth certificate bill passed 26-14 in the Victorian Upper House on Tuesday night and will become law once receiving royal assent.

Sometimes change scares people. I get that.



And I understand that some in our community may disagree with the change to the Births, Deaths & Marriages Act.



But for those in the LGBTQI+ community, this small change means a hell of a lot.#LGBTIQ #equality @EqualityAu #springst pic.twitter.com/lOflBN79Xk — Jackson Taylor MP (@JacksonTaylorMP) August 19, 2019

Our birth certificate reforms have passed the Parliament! These overdue reforms will ensure that trans and gender diverse people can have a birth certificate which reflects their true identity.

A small thing to many, but it means a world of difference to someone else.#springst — JillHennessyMP (@JillHennessyMP) August 27, 2019

We're so excited to announce that Birth Certificate Reform has passed in Victoria! This is a huge step forward in fairer access to accurate documentation, equality, and recognition for trans and gender diverse people in our state! #myidmyidentity #transrights pic.twitter.com/fEhSLDXjWR — Transgender Victoria | TGV (@transgendervic) August 27, 2019

⁣We did it! Birth certificate reform has passed in Victoria. ⠀

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Victoria joins Tas, NT, SA and the ACT in passing laws that make it easier for people to update their birth certificates without facing unnecessary and invasive medical interventions.

⠀#MyIDMyIdentity #SpringSt pic.twitter.com/G6eHpwVCOL — EqualityAustralia 🌈 (@EqualityAu) August 27, 2019

When this bill was voted down years ago, we promised to come back and get it done. And tonight we did.

Our birth certificate reforms have FINALLY passed to allow trans and gender diverse Victorians to have a certificate that reflects who they are. #springst #oneofthegooddays pic.twitter.com/NzsQWrBKB1 — Martin Foley (@MartinFoleyMP) August 27, 2019

"Interstate and international evidence shows that whilst not a large number of people take up these options it's simply is an option that's there to people the choice to make sure that identity documents reflect the reality of the life that people live," Equality Minister Martin Foley told 3AW on Wednesday.

Victoria joins Tasmania, Northern Territory, South Australia and the ACT in passing the laws.

To the beautiful trans and gender diverse young people who were watching at Parliament & via streaming today: You saw politicians trying to take away your agency & rights. They failed. This moment is huge & I know even more change is on the way. Congratulations! #MyIDMyIdentity — Roz Bellamy (@bellarozz) August 27, 2019

In the coming months trans advocates will be working hard to make sure that the bill is implemented in a way that's respectful, supports trans kids too, and makes the process as easy as possible for our whole community, but tonight we're celebrating! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ — Ygender (@Ygender) August 27, 2019

This is amazing!!!! Oh my goodness!!!!!!! Crying at my computer. What wonderful news. Well done to all the activists and trans community members who made this happen!!! 🥳😭🥳😭🥳 #MyIDMyIdentity https://t.co/aq4IZferXS — Jessica Walton 🧜‍♀️ (@JessHealyWalton) August 27, 2019

In April, Tasmania was the first state to make the inclusion on birth certificates.

Gender diversity activists took so social media to celebrate the success, which marks a significant win in the fight for transgender equality in Australia.

Congrats to Victoria!! NSW should be next 🏳️‍🌈 #MyIDMyIdentity — liz "the biz" duck-chong (@lizduckchong) August 27, 2019

Tell me your best thing today. Mine is that #MyIDMyIdentity passed into law — Asher Wolf (@Asher_Wolf) August 27, 2019

I start my hormones in October. Now I can legally change my sex. You have made my transition change dramatically for the better. Thank you. #MyIDMyIdentity — karmin (@nexngrxvestones) August 27, 2019