Government forms are getting updated to allow gender self-identification, as part of the provinceB次元官网网址檚 efforts to improve data quality for programs and services in B.C.
The change comes as the province sets new standards for gender and sex data, which is intended to clarify the difference between the two by providing alternative definitions, while also removing the need to disclose this information for services where such information doesnB次元官网网址檛 apply.
While gender information will no longer be required when applying for the Affordable Child Care Benefit, for example, applications for family services, online employment services and other government services will be updated.
CitizensB次元官网网址� Service Minister Lisa Beare said in a statement Thursday (May 11) that the change will allow services to be delivered in a more respectful way and increase equitability.
Gender and sex are two distinct concepts and are not interchangeable. Sex is a category used to classify people based on physical and physiological features B次元官网网址� most often assigned at birth B次元官网网址� and might not align with someoneB次元官网网址檚 gender.
B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 be clear, when it comes to someoneB次元官网网址檚 gender, government doesnB次元官网网址檛 know best. A responsive and inclusive government, like ours, understands that itB次元官网网址檚 important all British Columbians be able to self-identify in a way that best reflects who they are and what information they are comfortable sharing,B次元官网网址� said Kelli Paddon, parliamentary secretary for gender equity.
The province said it engaged with Trans Care BC, as well as ethics and legal advisers. Input from B.C. university students and post-secondary groups was also considered.
In 2022, the provincial government removed the need for physician or psychologist confirmation for people older than 12 to change their gender-designation on government-issued IDs, in order to reduce barriers for two-spirit, transgenders, non-binary and gender-diverse British Columbians.
ashley.wadhwani@blackpress.ca
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