A measure brought by the Social Democrat XO is defeated amid opposition from across the chamber.
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Lazia, 15 October 2017 — The Lazian Chamber has rejected the Non-Binary Recognition Bill, a measure that would have committed the Mahusetan government to recognising gender identities outside male and female.
Formally styled the Non-Binary Recognition Act 2017, the bill defined "non-binary" as describing "individuals who do not identify under the banner of male or female", and would have required the government to "make efforts to recognise Non-binary individuals in its operations". It further provided that official publications avoid "terms reinforcing the gender binary such as 'he or she'", and that government forms and identification documents add a third gender option or a write-in field.
The measure drew opposition from across the chamber. As members' positions were recorded — several voting in absentia — those against included Hasan Çakar, Llewelyn Lawton, Damian Billbrough, Edward Greiner, Mark Kavanah and the Pirate Party's Memberry. Support came chiefly from the bill's sponsor, and the opposition crossed party lines: among those against were members of XO's own Social Democrats. The chair, President Emiel van der Huijsen, said he "didn't expect so much opposes".
Members of the Classical Liberal Party, and the president in particular, characterised the bill as a form of "divisive identity politics". XO, who had given the measure his "strongest support", said he was "deeply disappointed that this bill has not passed". With its defeat, the Confederation made no provision for the recognition of non-binary identities — a position it has since retained.
Edited for the relaunch of the Courant van Lazia.
