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Transgendered Albertam to find it easier to change ID

It's now easier for transgendered Albertans to change their gender on birth certificates and licences.
Alberta has updated the process for transgendered people to update their personal documents. (Canadian Press)

It's now easier for transgenderedAlbertans to change their gender on birth certificates and licences.

The province has updated the process for transgenderedpeople to altertheir personal documents.

"This is life changing," said Kristopher Wells, assistant professor and director at theInstitute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services at the University of Alberta. "For the government to step forward and do the right thing todayis a day we should all be proud.

Until now those wanting to change their gender on government ID needed affidavits from two physicians stating that the anatomical gender had changed through surgery.

Now just one affidavit from a physician or psychologist is required and there's no longer any reference to surgery.

The change comes 10 months after ajudge has ruled the current lawviolatedthe rights of transgender people.

Government Services Minister Stephen Khan calls the regulatory changes a major step in supporting transgenderedpeople and their families.