Germany Has Proposed A Bill That Would Make It Easier For People To Legally Change Their Gender
If passed, the bill will allow people to choose their legal gender through a simple declaration at the registry offices.
The German government has presented a draft bill that will make it easier for people to legally change their gender on Tuesday May 9.
If passed, the “Self-Determination Act” will allow people to choose their legal gender through a simple declaration at the registry offices.
Under the draft bill, children below the age 14 will need their legal guardian to submit the declaration, while those above the age 14 will need their written approval.
The proposed legislation aims to replace the 1981 transsexual law, which requires two expert reports and court approval.
The current process is said to be time consuming and costly.
At the moment, court procedures and assessments can cost up to €1,868 (approximately US$2,160) and the process can take up to a year and a half, according to Human Rights Watch.
“We have taken another big step forward with the self-determination act and with it also in the protection against discrimination and the rights of transgender, intersex and nonbinary people,” Germany’s minister of families, Lisa Paus, said, according to AP.
German’s are divided on the issue with 46% in favor and 41% against, according to a recent survey.
In the past year, Spain and Finland have passed more accessible gender recognition laws.
