Under the current #German "#transsexual #law", people may officially change their first name and gender only after they have been assessed by two psychiatrists and a court has given permission.
The "#Self-#Determination #Act" would allow these changes to be made in a simple procedure.
Gabriel Nox-Koenig, from the German transgender advocacy association Trans*, told DW that the new law meant trans people were far less likely to suffer instances of everyday discrimination.
The draft defines a #trans person as someone who does not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth, or not solely with that gender.
The new law would also apply to those who do not identify exclusively as male or female, termed #nonbinary people.
The law would require people to inform registry offices three months in advance of the changes to be made.
In the case of those under the age of 14, only the legal representative of the person would be able to lodge an application. Those over 14 can file one themselves with the approval of their legal representatives.
If the approval is not given, a family court can approve the changes if the official gender and name changes "do not go against the child's well-being."
The new legislation would allow the operators of facilities such as gyms and changing rooms for women to continue to decide who has access to them.
With the new law, Germany would be following the example of Spain, which in early 2023 passed a law allowing people over 16 years of age to change their legally registered gender without any medical supervision.
https://www.dw.com/en/gender-identity-law-passes-in-german-parliament/a-68800054