23:26 Wed Jun 11 2014 by AAP

The Danish parliament has scrapped a law requiring people to be sterilised as part of the sex change procedure before they could be legally recognised as another gender.

As of September 1, all Danes over 18 will be able to apply for a legal gender change simply by stating that they belong to the other sex, after which they must complete a six-month "reflection period," the Danish government said on Wednesday.

More: http://news.msn.co.nz/worldnews/8858700/denmark-changes-sex-change-laws

This is great news.

Now I just hope it will change in Norway too, where the situation is just as bad, if not worse, than it used to be in Denmark.

What a great idea: "simply by stating that they belong to the other sex".

It makes laws other places that require us to get a doctor's permission look paternalistic and patronizing.

Quote from: suzifrommd on June 11, 2014, 07:26:10 AM
What a great idea: "simply by stating that they belong to the other sex".

It makes laws other places that require us to get a doctor's permission look paternalistic and patronizing.

I see nothing wrong with a little verification. Some will say one thing but not mean it or mean it at the time, but not live it.

Quote from: LordKAT on June 11, 2014, 07:32:48 AM
I see nothing wrong with a little verification. Some will say one thing but not mean it or mean it at the time, but not live it.

Wouldn't the six months "reflection time" largely prevent that from happening, though? It's not like it can be done on impulse.

But I agree that there wouldn't be anything wrong with at least a minimal form of verification, like let's say a letter from a therapist, doctor or counselor. I'm just not sure whether it's a necessity either; it's not like changing gender markers is irreversible.

But having to look at my reflection for 6 months constitutes a cruel and unnatural punishment.  This new law is barbaric!

Aisla

Quote from: Aisla on June 11, 2014, 07:51:27 AM
But having to look at my reflection for 6 months constitutes a cruel and unnatural punishment.  This new law is barbaric!

Aisla

Yes, the reflection time meets what I was thinking.

I was more responding to Suzi's post.

I'm pleased as punch, and have marked my calendar for sep. 1 to remind me to send my application.

(In response to '..not live it..' the law also says that if the government finds out that you aren't living as that gender, they can reverse this. Though, the comments section also says that no one is expected to be checking up on that. It also says nothing about whether or not this will grant access to medical transition, which I don't actually think it does.)

Personally, I don't think we should legally distinguish between genders at all. Photo ID shows whether you are who you say you are, so I don't see how sex is really relevant at all.

But I am glad to hear this has been changed. I've heard that this is an issue in Sweden too.

Quote from: Olivia P on June 11, 2014, 06:40:17 AM
23:26 Wed Jun 11 2014 by AAP

The Danish parliament has scrapped a law requiring people to be sterilised as part of the sex change procedure before they could be legally recognised as another gender.

As of September 1, all Danes over 18 will be able to apply for a legal gender change simply by stating that they belong to the other sex, after which they must complete a six-month "reflection period," the Danish government said on Wednesday.

More: http://news.msn.co.nz/worldnews/8858700/denmark-changes-sex-change-laws

What is the purpose of the reflection period and what is required of the individual during that time?

I think it is meant to be like RLE. Make sure you are really changing and not fraud.