Trans and non-binary people calling for the addition of the gender marker The Legault government prefers to seek the conclusions of its Committee of Wise Men on gender identity before making its decision.
This is a change in direction as the government has been working on this issue for months. Guidelines were expected this fall that would allow departments and agencies to add the X marker to their official documents.
The Committee [de sages] “We will inevitably address the issue of gender characteristics,” confirmed Martine Biron, Minister responsible for the fight against homophobia and transphobia, and Suzanne Roy, Minister of Family Affairs, in a joint statement.
The government will then await the report of the Committee of Wise Men to decide on the use of the symbol X on government documents other than the civil status certificate, where it may already appear.
The Committee of Wise Men, introduced last week by the Minister for Family Affairs, will be specifically tasked with analyzing the impact of public policies towards trans and non-binary people on society as a whole. The report is expected in winter 2025.
Many trans and non-binary people in Quebec therefore still have to be patient so that their identity, recognized by the registrar, is reflected on their health insurance card or driver's license, for example.
This is the case of Alexe Frédéric Migneault, who recently went on a twelve-day hunger strike in front of the offices of the Régie de l'assurance santé du Québec (RAMQ), hoping that the government will speed up the process.
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Alexe Frédéric Migneault is a non-binary person struggling to get the X mark on his identity documents.
Photo: Radio-Canada
M, F or X
Since 2022, Quebec law allows trans and non-binary people to change their gender marker at the registry office to receive the letter X on the birth or marriage certificate instead of the letter M or F.
However, ministries and organizations such as the RAMQ or the Société d'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) have not yet adapted their documents, such as the health insurance card or driver's license.
There is a lot at stake for those affected because it leads to embarrassing situations.
For example, in the waiting room of a clinic, you can be mistaken for a man or a woman in front of everyone, even if the registrar has recognized your gender identity.
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Since 2022, Quebec's director of civil status has allowed trans and non-binary people to wear the gender marker X.
Photo: getty images/istockphoto / nito100
Currently, around 360 trans and non-binary people have made an official request to RAMQ to allow the gender marker X to appear on their card.
Quickly
When making such changes to various official documents, it is common for courts and organizations to give the government a certain amount of time [pour] Make the various changes, says Philippe-André Tessier, President of the Commission on Human and Youth Rights (CDPDJ).
Despite the long wait, Me Tessier does not say whether the ministries and organizations are violating the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.
Nevertheless, he calls on the Legault government to act immediately.
We are aware that work is ongoing and we insist that this work be completed as quickly as possible to ensure that people with other identifying characteristics can be appropriately listed on their identification documents.
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The President of the Commission for Human and Youth Rights, Philippe-André Tessier
Photo: Radio-Canada / Ivanoh Demers
If it continues to be complex, the marking
Elsewhere in the world, it happens that the gender marker is collected by organizations, appears in the citizen's file, but is simply not printed on the identity document.
Perhaps this solution, current in other provinces or in other states, could also be proposed and respect the rights of trans and non-binary people, suggests Me Tessier.