Belgium Introduces Gender Self-Identification
Belgium's Legal Gender Recognition Act came into force, enabling individuals to change their legal gender through a statutory declaration before a civil registrar without medical intervention. The process involves a three-month waiting period and confirmation declaration. Minors aged 16-17 can apply with parental support and a non-diagnostic statement from a youth psychiatrist. In 2019, Belgium's Constitutional Court ruled the law must be expanded to include non-binary people.
Impact & Significance
Belgium became the sixth European country to adopt gender self-ID, and its Constitutional Court's non-binary ruling pushed the boundaries further than any other European jurisdiction.
Reference Record
- Date
- 1 January 2018
- Era
- 2010-2019
- Sources
- 1
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