The Queensland government has extended the deadline for LGBTI Queenslanders to have their say in a review to improve legal recognition of their identities and their families.
The state government announced the review last month looking into how the state’s Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration (BDMR) Act can be improved.
As part of the review, the Attorney-General’s department released a discussion paper exploring how Queensland “can improve the legal recognition of sex and gender diverse people, in response to changing community attitudes and understanding about gender.”
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said more than 80 submissions had already been provided in response to the paper and announced the closing date for submissions had been extended to April 19.
“The response so far has been above and beyond our expectations,” she said.
“We want to continue this momentum and provide extra time for those who need it.
“We must ensure that this state’s BDMR legislation meets the needs of all members of the community, including those within the LGBTI community, so it’s important that we consider as many perspectives and viewpoints as possible.”
Submissions can be made in the form of a comprehensive proposal or by taking an online survey on the Department of Justice and Attorney-General website.
For more information about the Queensland government’s review and to read the discussion paper visit the website here.
Meanwhile, the Australian Law Reform Commission recently called for LGBTIQ people to have their say in its review of the Australian family law system.
The review will look at property issues, same-sex relationship and parenting issues and medical issues for transgender and intersex children, and submissions can be made online until May 7.
New South Wales-based LGBTI group Rainbow Families also launched a survey last week asking for same-sex couples and parents around the country to share their experiences of discrimination in government services, to aid the group’s advocacy.
