Olaf Scholz's government has reached an agreement paving the way for a simplification of the administrative procedure for people wishing to change gender, which has long been demanded by the LGBT+ community, according to parliamentary sources.
"
As the parliamentary group of the SPD, we expressly welcome the fact that the law on self-determination is finally moving forward
," Jan Plobner, the Social Democratic Party's spokesperson for transgender issues in the country, told AFP. Bundestag.
According to this agreement, revealed by the daily
Süddeutsche Zeitung
, transgender, intersex and non-binary people will in future have to provide a simple self-declaration if they wish to change their first name or gender mention in the civil status register.
Changing genders for minors
The procedures are at this stage defined by a law dating from the 1980s which de facto considers transidentity as a mental illness: people wishing to change gender must present two psychological reports and it is the competent district court that decides.
The procedure is long, costly and considered degrading by those concerned.
“
The undignified procedure
” to which they are subjected “
will soon be a thing of the past
,” Mr. Plobner said.
The agreement between the Ministries of Justice and Family will make it possible to complete the bill on self-determination, "
so that the legislation can I hope soon be applied
", reacted Sven Lehmann, government agent for the rights of the LGBT+ community (i.e. lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual people).
In particular, it settles the delicate question of gender change for minors, according to the newspaper
Süddeutsche Zeitung
.
For children under 14, only parents or guardians can initiate a procedure.
For those over 14 whose parents contest the process, a court will have to decide.
There is also time for reflection.
It is only after three months that the gender change in civil status will come into effect.
A possible new request to change gender will only be possible after one year.
The government of Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, allied with the Greens and the Liberals, is committed to combating the discrimination suffered by the LGBT+ community.
In November 2022, it adopted a vast action plan providing, among other things, for a specific anchoring of their right in the Constitution.
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