Revolution in gender entry: Over 11,000 changes in Germany!

Revolution in gender entry: Over 11,000 changes in Germany!

On November 1, 2024, the Self-Determination Act (SBGG) came into force, making it easier for trans, intersex and non-binary people to change their gender and first name. This regulation replaces the transsexual law that has existed since 1980, which was often viewed as discriminatory. How rbb24 reports, over 11,000 people in Germany have already changed their gender record since it came into force, with Berlin leading the way with 2,407 changes.

The provisions of the new law allow gender registration to be changed without psychiatric reports or legal proceedings. Instead, all that is required is a declaration to the registry office, which will be certified within three to six months. The change is therefore made much easier by eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, which is particularly important for minors who can apply independently from the age of 14 but require their parents' consent. Children under 14 may only make changes with the consent of their legal guardian.

Application statistics in Berlin and Potsdam

In Berlin, of the 2,407 amendment requests, most are due to a change between male and female, with 1,400 cases. 488 people chose “no entry” and 478 chose “diverse.” Most applications came from Neukölln and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, while the fewest were submitted in Reinickendorf and Spandau. In Potsdam, 189 people changed their gender, with the most common change being male.

Responses and future evaluation

The federal government is planning an evaluation of the Self-Determination Act to check the effect and acceptance of the regulation. According to estimates, the federal government expects around 4,000 changes annually, while media reports put this number at between 6,000 and 15,000 registrations. However, it is difficult to record the exact number of changes because not all cities report requests for changes. A slight trend shows that previously female people are increasingly changing their gender entry to male, while changes to “diverse” or “no entry” are less common.

After changing your gender entry, old identification documents become invalid and new ones must be applied for. In addition, the SBGG provides for a ban on the disclosure of previous gender entries, which represents important legal protection for those affected. The law, which has similar regulations in over 16 countries, supports the right to gender self-determination and marks a significant step in the recognition of gender diversity in Germany.

This also represents a detailed source of information taz available, which highlights the benefits and challenges of the new law. This can be used as additional background information BMBF be used to clarify further regulations and detailed questions associated with the implementation of the Self-Determination Act.