14 December 2018
Germany Introduces 'Diverse' as Third Gender Option
Legal International
The German Bundestag passed the Third Gender Act, allowing 'divers' (diverse) as a third gender option on birth certificates alongside male and female, following a 2017 Federal Constitutional Court ruling. A medical certificate confirming a variation of sex development was required, which advocates criticised as excluding some intersex and non-binary people. The law took effect on 22 December 2018.
Impact & Significance
Made Germany one of the first European countries to legally recognise a third gender, advancing intersex visibility in official documentation.
Reference Record
- Date
- 14 December 2018
- Era
- 2010-2019
- Sources
- 2
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Questions This Event Helps Answer
Q What is the Gender Recognition Act 2004? The Gender Recognition Act 2004 created a UK legal process for some trans people to obtain recognition of their acquired gender. Q Who were early UK trans pioneers? Early UK trans pioneers include Michael Dillon, Roberta Cowell, April Ashley, Stephen Whittle, Julia Grant and the organisers who built early trans community networks. Q How did gender recognition and self-determination expand internationally? They expanded through court judgments, self-identification laws, third-gender markers and national trans-rights legislation.
