The federal government has passed the so-called self-determination law to make it easier to change the gender entry. The adoption of the draft was “a great moment” for transgender and intersex people in Germany, said Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) afterwards.
“The Basic Law guarantees the free development of personality and respect for gender identity. Nevertheless, those affected were discriminated against by the transsexual law for more than 40 years. That’s finally over now.”
Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) said that the Self-Determination Act is an expression of a policy that puts fundamental rights first. “All people have a right to the state respecting their gender identity. And we are concerned with this human right.”
In the future, everyone in Germany should be able to determine their gender and first name themselves and change them in a simple procedure at the registry office. According to the Ministry of Family Affairs and Justice, the law is aimed at transgender, intersex and non-binary people. Criticism of the self-determination law comes mainly from the Union and the AfD.
