If he says he is “ready to find a solution” to the elements considered transphobic in his Bill 2, Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette has already created a shock wave among trans and non-binary people. Members of these communities fear that their lives will be turned upside down by the overhaul of gender identity.
In 2015, the Quebec government repealed a portion of the law that required surgery to change the sex designation that appears on birth certificates and government identification documents. “We thought we had won,” says Séré Beauchesne Lévesque, who took advantage of this change in the legislative framework to modify his official documents.
Now, there you have it, Bill 2 tabled last Thursday by the Minister of Justice Simon Jolin-Barrette again plans to require surgery before a change to his sexual identity statement. Several articles indicate this in full.
If it is adopted, the legislative text will allow the addition of a distinct gender identity, the elected Caquista is justified, but, for several organizations, this risks creating ” coming out forced ”: Quebec projects that the mention of sex and gender identity appear side by side on government documents.
If Bill 2 were to pass as is, Ky Fleming would have to undergo surgery at all costs to match the gender designation on his official documents with his gender identity and physical appearance. “I made my coming out in 2015, but my papers haven’t changed yet. Bill 2 directly affects me as a trans person, ”notes this 22-year-old Montrealer.
“It comes to meouter automatically to my employer. With the vaccine passport, it comes to meouter to virtually anyone. “
Maël and Sasha Ste-Marie, 16 and 14, struggled to cash in on the bill last week. “I am non-binary. If the bill passes, it would probably stuck me with it my whole life, and I’m 14 years old. I should have my sex mention all my life, ”says Sasha.
“It’s extremely difficult for anyone who doesn’t feel the need to go for surgery,” adds Maël.
What sequel?
Coordinator at TransEstrie, Séré Beauchesne Lévesque asks Simon Jolin-Barrette to modify his bill so that only one mention appears on official certificates, without any surgical prerequisite.
At a press briefing last Thursday, the minister had however confirmed that the intention was to offer the possibility of ticking two separate boxes. “The person who does not undergo an operation and who maintains his biological sex assigned at birth is F or M,” he summed up. But, on the other hand, if the person identifies with a gender other than his biological sex, then he will be able to [modifier son identité de genre. Ça] will be identified on her F, M or X birth certificate, if she identifies as non-binary. “
Nothing says that the law will not be altered. Bill 2 will have to go through several legislative stages before coming into force, which could allow Quebec to make changes. On Tuesday, Mr. Jolin-Barrette also opened the door to amend it.
“I am very open to finding a way of passage,” he said.