Third gender option a new choice after birth: Option on German certificates
Third gender option a new choice after birth: Option on German certificates, Third gender option, a very real thing that Germany will be offering to new babies soon, as this November the country will stand as the very first in Europe to welcome a new option on birth certificates, a “third gender” choice, ABC reports this Thursday, Aug. 22.
The third gender option will be part of a new German law that dictates all children who are born of a stated indeterminate gender will not have to be identified by parents or guardians as “male” or “female.” Rather, parents will be allowed to leave the gender section blank — a “third” option.
A local German newspaper said that the blank space on the child’s birth certificate can be left that way until the parents — or the child — ultimately decide if they want to be recognized as male, female, or remain as neither sex.
The third gender option was included this May 2013 into the German legislature, which was voted in as an amended statement to the Civil Status Act. According to the report, the legal change has gotten “far too little media attention as of yet.”
Some feel that while the new change is welcome for many, it still doesn’t do enough yet.
A German Family Law Journal noted that one of the problems with the third gender option amendment — when legal this Nov. in Germany — is that those who do identify themselves the “blank” choice will be facing some major legal troubles when they travel outside of Europe.
The group instead encourages that Germany have those who identify as neither male nor female designate themselves on the birth certificate and passports with an “X” for identification.
Despite its progressive movement, Germany has been criticized in the past for its behind-the-times takes on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues. Yet even today, gender identification is still not fully understood.
What’s your words on the third gender option story? Please drop in a comment below.
The third gender option will be part of a new German law that dictates all children who are born of a stated indeterminate gender will not have to be identified by parents or guardians as “male” or “female.” Rather, parents will be allowed to leave the gender section blank — a “third” option.
A local German newspaper said that the blank space on the child’s birth certificate can be left that way until the parents — or the child — ultimately decide if they want to be recognized as male, female, or remain as neither sex.
The third gender option was included this May 2013 into the German legislature, which was voted in as an amended statement to the Civil Status Act. According to the report, the legal change has gotten “far too little media attention as of yet.”
Some feel that while the new change is welcome for many, it still doesn’t do enough yet.
A German Family Law Journal noted that one of the problems with the third gender option amendment — when legal this Nov. in Germany — is that those who do identify themselves the “blank” choice will be facing some major legal troubles when they travel outside of Europe.
The group instead encourages that Germany have those who identify as neither male nor female designate themselves on the birth certificate and passports with an “X” for identification.
Despite its progressive movement, Germany has been criticized in the past for its behind-the-times takes on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues. Yet even today, gender identification is still not fully understood.
What’s your words on the third gender option story? Please drop in a comment below.
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