German Government drops controversial gender self-ID plans

Proposals that would have made it much easier for transgender people in Germany to change ‘legal sex’ have stalled.

The Federal Government halted the progress of its Self-Determination Bill over concerns that criminals could exploit the legislation to evade prosecution.

Under the plans, law enforcement agencies could find it difficult to search records using a ‘pre-transition’ name, raising fears that criminals could go into hiding by changing their gender identity.

‘Gender entry’

The draft law would remove the current requirements of two doctors’ reports and a court order in order for someone to change their name and ‘gender entry’ with the registry office.

Minors between the ages of 14 and 18 would require approval from parents or the ruling of a family court, while parents would need to apply on behalf of children younger than 14.

The regulations would impose fines whenever a person’s true sex is disclosed or investigated without their permission, except in limited circumstances.

But following a meeting of justice, family and interior ministers last week, the draft Bill has been dropped from the cabinet agenda.

Scotland

In the UK, Scotland remains at the forefront of the push to make changing legal sex easier.

Under the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, residents aged 16 and over would be able to ‘sex-swap’ merely by self-declaration.

In January, the UK Government blocked the controversial proposals on constitutional grounds, given its impact on UK-wide equalities legislation.

The Scottish Government has decided to file a judicial review against the UK Government, but former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption said its case is “weak”.