Transgender New Brunswickers won’t have to undergo surgery now to change their status in the eyes of the government.
Service new Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty is making changes to the law which says the physical characteristics of a person do not have to define their sex designation on their birth certificate. In other words they won’t have to undergo surgery before changing their gender designation. Teens also won’t have to wait until they’re 19 to make changes to reflect the gender they want to be.
Joselyn O’Connor, facilitator of the Moncton chapter of the UBU transgender action and support group, welcomed the changes telling Brunswick News they will allow trans people to avoid ridicule and embarrassment.