In monumental news, on Tuesday evening, Victoria’s state government passed reforms that will allow transgender and gender-diverse folk to change the gender on their birth certificate without undergoing invasive reassignment surgery.

The bill passed 26-14 in the Victorian Upper House last night, and is set to become law once it receives royal assent.

The Births, Deaths, and Marriages Registration Amendment Bill will give people the freedom to choose how their gender is displayed on their birth certificates. The bill offers male, female and multiple non-binary options.

Transgender Victoria took to Twitter to announce the passing of the bill. “This is a huge step forward in fairer access to accurate documentation, equality, and recognition for trans and gender diverse people in our state.

“As always there’s still much to do and many more vital issues ahead, but tonight, after many years of tireless work we congratulate everyone who helped achieve this historic reform.”

Lee Carnie, legal director of Equality Australia, told The Guardian, that advocates were set to target other states that are yet to change the law.

“WA, Queensland and NSW are next in line for birth certificate reform,” she shared. “Equality Australia will be working with trans advocates from across those states for fair birth certificates.”

Victoria is now the fifth state in Australia to adopt the reform, joining Tasmania, Northern Territory, South Australia and the ACT.

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