Norwegians now can change genders legally with a mouse click
Norway, a wealthy, progressive nation of 5 million people, recently became the fifth country in the world to allow adults to legally change genders without a doctor’s agreement or intervention. Argentina, Ireland and Denmark have similar laws. But only Malta and Norway have extended the liberalized rules to children.
Provided they have parental consent, Norwegian children as young as 6 can now self-identify as male or female, effectively overruling the gender assigned to them at birth. Anna is one of nine minors in the country to have taken advantage since the new rules were adopted in June.
With no requirement for surgery or counseling, the process is as easy as filing a tax return. So far, Norway has not refused a single application. Soon, Anna will receive the official letter confirming the government recognizes her as the girl she always knew herself to be.
Norwegian trans activist Christine Marie Jentoft is one of the adults who have made use of the new online form. To the Washington Post she says that she welcomes the ability to self-identify, adding that it’s not the government’s place to decide her gender.
Indeed, she is the only one who can possibly know her true gender.
Photo by David Keyton: Ten-year-old trans girl Anna Thulin-Myge from Haugesund, Norway.