Should your system offer Mr, Ms ... and Mx? Time to phase gender out of your databasesBy Jane Fae Ozimek • Posted in Public Sector, 27th September 2011 12:28 GMT
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/09/27/gender_database_debate/Analysis Last week the Australian government announced new rules for declaring a gender on passports. This week UK authorities revealed they are conducting their own review of gender on passports. What are the implications for systems design and management?
The Australian move follows increasing pressure from transgender and intersex lobbyists to alleviate difficulties they encounter when crossing borders, where there is variance between someone's apparent gender and what is written on a document. In some countries, such difference can pose a real risk, and the problem has only intensified with the introduction of body scanners at many airports.