B.C. birth certificate changes around gender markers a first in Canada

British Columbia is moving to allow people to get birth certificates with no gender markers listed, through amendments to the Vital Statistics Act.

And while advocates for gender-diverse people are welcoming that development, there’s also an assertion the government needs to go further.

We are ensuring that regardless of orientation, everyone can feel reflected in the language their Gov uses! Proud to introduce the first piece of legislation in Canada to revise non-inclusive gender language in our legislative framework, creating a more inclusive BC for everyone! pic.twitter.com/zOKJLIkm6E

— Brenda Bailey (@BrendaBaileyBC) March 8, 2023

Chelsey Blair oversees the Trans ID Clinic at Qmunity, an organization which works to improve queer, trans, and Two-Spirit lives.

Blair supports the change but says the government needs to go beyond this, particularly when it comes to helping people navigate making adjustments to their government ID.

“Even though some things have changed in the last little bit how that process is accessed, it’s still difficult,” Blair told CityNews in an interview.

“There’s still administrative barriers that make it hard for people to do.”

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• B.C. removes medical barrier for gender designation change on most people’s ID

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Blair added making changes to government ID can cost hundreds of dollars, and also pointed out that people born in other provinces won’t be able to take advantage of this.

The suggestion this government bill has limitations is echoed by Adrienne Smith, a Vancouver lawyer and non-binary transgender person.

“I wish I could be more enthusiastic in my support about this bill, because the structure of how names and genders are changed in British Columbia is a Byzantine process,” Smith said. “It is a gatekeeping problem for hundreds of trans people who are trying to get ID.”

Beyond allowing birth certificates without gender markers, the province is amending the Vital Statistics Act to align the legislation with the government’s previously announced policy of allowing people 12 and older to change gender designations on their birth certificates without confirmation from a doctor or psychologist.