Sex-Free Passports for Transgender People

Sex-Free Passports for Transgender People

Being Considered in the UK

Sex-free British passports could be brought in to allow transgender people to opt out of identifying themselves as either male or female under plans being considered by the Home Office. Under the proposals, UK passports could have a single box labeled sex, which could be marked with an X. The consultation follows the recent introduction of a similar system in Australia.

Concerns have been raised over the security implications and extra work created for the UK Border Agency. An Identity and Passport Service (IPS) spokeswoman said, "IPS is considering the gender options available to customers in the British passport." Since the discussion is still in its early stages, no action has been taken. She added that any changes to the passport would need to satisfy the IPS' rigorous security requirements.

英国内政部正在考虑引进“护照中性别栏免填”计划，以使跨性别者免于选择男女身份的困惑。 选择不表明自己为男性或女性。在这个提案下，英国护照将会保留性别栏，但可在上头填上 X。这项协商是参照近期澳洲所引进的相同制度。

　　这种作法所牵涉到的安全问题已经引起关切，而这也会增加英国移民署的工作量。英国身分和护照服务局（IPS）的 1 名女发言人表示：『本局正在考虑让民众在英国护照的性别栏上多这项选择。』不过由于这项讨论仍在初期阶段，因此尚未采取任何举动。发言人也表示，任何护照上的变更都会符合 IPS 严格的安全规定。

Japanese Finish Swim to

Show Gratitude to Taiwan

Six Japanese men recently swam over 150 kilometers through heavy winds and rough seas to reach the Taiwanese coast in a show of gratitude to Taiwan for its help after the March earthquake and tsunami. Wearing swim caps emblazoned with both the Taiwanese and Japanese flags and the words, "Thank you Taiwan and cheers for Japan," the swimmers reached the eastern Taiwanese port of Suao to a boisterous welcome.

The two-day marathon swim, conducted in alternating relay legs from the southern Japanese island of Yonaguni, is one of several gestures the Japanese people have made to thank Taiwan. "I have been very touched by how fast Taiwan was in sending assistance," said Kazuya Suzuki, one of the swimmers and the organizer of the event. "I am very moved by Taiwan's warm feelings toward Japan."

日人游泳来台表达感谢之情

6名日本勇士最近完成 150 多公里的泳程，经历强风和汹涌的海浪抵达台湾海岸，以感谢台湾在 3月份日本经历大地震和海啸后所给予的援助。这些泳将戴着印有台湾和日本旗志的泳帽，上面还有『谢谢台湾、日本加油』的文字，当他们抵达台湾东岸的苏澳港时，受到热烈欢迎。

　　这个历时 2天的马拉松游泳，以接力的方式从日本南部那国岛出发，是日本人感谢台湾的方式之一。其中 1 名泳将，同时也是策划人的铃木一也表示：『我被台湾迅速的援助所深深感动。台湾对日本的温暖关怀打动了我的心。』鲨鱼怕比自己大的东西，所以可在船尾巴拖着长长的塑料布，当船航行大海时，泳将们就在布上面游，以避开鲨鱼。队长铃木说，防鲨对策有 2 种，除了以塑料布隔离，另一种是采用防鲨盾，这是一种类似日本自卫队用的驱逐鲨鱼设备，它会放出电流，产生威吓的作用。他还表示，海游的距离虽然短，但关键是如何提高游泳的速度。他前一阵子试游时发现黑潮的流速很快，为了提高速度，计划每 30 分钟换人接力游，以缩短时间。

台湾方面则表示，在泳手上岸前，宜兰当地将派出台湾成人游泳协会等长泳好手，在距岸约 400 公尺海上迎接，双方并在海上握手、一起游向终点。岸上民众则施放古式竹礼炮、演出『鲭鱼舞』热情迎接，庆祝完成此一创举。（数据源：中央社）