Gender neutral passports will soon be making their way into the hands of Canadians.
Canadians who do not identify as male of female will soon be able to mark an "X" on their passports instead of "M" or "F". Allowing this change addresses the current state of society and the changes in gender identity and expression, which falls in line with the government's most recent efforts, and will make it easier for individuals to reflect their identity through government issued documents.
Gender neutral passports have been something long awaited by the Canadian transgender community. Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said, "all Canadians should feel safe to be themselves, live according to their gender identity and express their gender as they choose."
Before this was introduced, Parliament passed Bill C-16 earlier this summer, which amended the Canadian Human Rights Act to add gender identity and gender expression to the list of prohibited grounds for discrimination. For more on Bill C-16, please read our previous blog post by lawyer Marc Kemerer. For more information on Bill C-16 or related issues, please contact Marc Kemerer today.
More information on the government's effort to better accommodate gender identity and expression through the modification of government issued documents through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will be announced on August 31.
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