The Australian state of Tasmania have officially passed new laws that will see birth certificates having an option in regards to gender.
In a move that has been welcomed by transgender advocacy groups across the world, state officials made it legal for those who wish to change their gender without the need for surgery.
Under the new laws anyone over the age of 16 now have the choice to change their gender on their birth certificate if they wish to do so.
Welcoming the decision transgender advocacy groups said the decision significant as it now means there would be less discrimination against those in the transgender community.
However the changes have been met with stern criticism from the state’s Conservative led parliament with Prime Minister Scott Morrison criticising the plan by calling it “ridiculous”.
It is understood the law changes were heavily backed by opposition parties who argued that an official gender designation doesn’t exactly match a specific person’s beliefs in regards to their gender.