<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/01/victoria-may-ban-unnecessary-surgery-intersex-children>
"Victoria will become the first Australian state to ban unnecessary surgeries
on intersex children, with legislation to be introduced to parliament to ensure
procedures are deferred until patients are old enough to consent to them.
The health minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, will on Tuesday introduce the health
safeguards for people born with variations in sex characteristics bill, which
if passed would prohibit deferrable, irreversible procedures and treatments on
intersex infants and children until they can provide informed consent.
Intersex people are born with variations in sex characteristics – such as
reproductive organs, chromosomes or hormones – that do not fit typical
definitions of male or female.
Thomas said the reform – first committed to in 2021 – gives intersex people
agency over their own bodies. She said it follows instances where people born
with variations in sex characteristics have experienced harm and trauma through
inappropriate and unnecessary medical interventions.
“Every person deserves the right to make decisions about their own body, with
respect, dignity and safety at the heart of the care they receive,” Thomas
said.
“This is an important step forward for people born with variations in sex
characteristics and their families – who for too long have not had the fair and
proper legal recognition of their rights.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
