There's a third gender option? There will be in Germany at least. Germany will become the first European country to add a third gender option to birth certificates.
In addition to the standard "male" and "female," German parents will be able to add "blank" as an alternative gender on birth certificates, Spiegel Online reports. Starting November 1, parents can opt out of determining their baby's gender.
The new legislative change will allow those born with characterisitcs of both sexes to choose whether they want to be a male or female later in life when they are old enough to decide. The new option also allows individuals to opt out of choosing a gender altogether.
While Germany may be the first European nation to add the option, they're not the first country to do so. Australia became the first country in the world to legally add a third gender to birth certificates about six weeks ago. Germany and Australia won't be the only countries either. Nepal announced earlier this year that it will start issuing third gender citizen certificates.
There are some differences. The Australian law applies to all official documents while Germany's only applies to birth certificates for now. They haven't announced how the legislation will affect other documents like passports, which still ask a person to identify themselves as female or male.
Germany's new legislation may urge other European nations to add a third gender, Silvan Agius, policy director of Europe's International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, said according to Spiegel Online. Neighboring Belgium may be next on the list.
"Things are moving slower than they should at the European level," Agius said. "Though Brussels has ramped up efforts to promote awareness of trans and intersex discrimination, I would like to see things speed up."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
