August 21, 2013
German Law Change to Brings Recognition to a Third Sex
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Germany is about to join the small list of countries who legally recognize intersex people.
According to The Local, a ruling from the Federal Constitutional Court will come into effect this November, which will allow intersex people to decide their own sex when they decide to do so.
"If the child cannot be identified as female or male, the personal gender is to be left blank and to be so entered into the births register," the new law states.
While the law represents a milestone for intersex people, who are many times assigned a certain sex at birth and later in life realize they feel more comfortable with the opposite sex, it will have to be implemented to other types of identification besides birth certificates, S�ddeutsche Zeitung writes.
Also, having nothing could create difficulties for intersexual people travelling to some countries, and German law defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman.
Justice Minister Sabine Leuthheusser-Schnarrenberger said a "comprehensive reform" would be necessary.
Australia passed similar legislation earlier this year.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
