Switzerland to allow change of gender at registry offices

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I saw a mention of this story in the i newspaper put was unable to find a link to it, I have, however, found another link see below.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-to-allow-simple-legal-gen...

As Switzerland is often seen as a very conservative country, this is pretty radical but in line with a number of other European countries that have enabled people to change gender with little or no input from medical professionals. I'm not entirely sure what I think about these new measures as it seems almost as if it's verging on frivolous or whimsical.

Comments

Medical isn't always a choice nor option

BarbieLee's picture

Waiting for authorization from the authorities such as Medical so they may achieve a gender marker more in sync with their desire shouldn't be a big deal. Does it hurt anyone else? Does it mean they get a free pass to the women's facilities if they had the Big M on their ID before?

There are so many things right and just as many wrong with this, I don't know where to begin. I support everyone's right to live their life their way as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. BUT, there will always be the voyeurs in life or the perverts who abuse that freedom to call themselves whatever.

When asked what I prefer to be called I always respond with Barb or Barbie. When they ask what pronoun I prefer, I respond it doesn't matter, whatever they are comfortable with as pronouns aren't necessary. They may address me as Mr. Sir, Miss, Ma'am if they wish, I truly don't care.
"My rights do not supersede anyone else's rights." I've been called everything except human at times most of my life by those who want to impose their idea of what society should be. That's their right. Their right over mine ends if they want to touch me or harm me.

Most have no concept of the boundaries of where their rights end over the next person's. Thus we have bullies and the obnoxious who push past those invisible lines of "personal space". Switzerland stepped into the murky waters where those boundaries begin and end.
Hugs Angharad
Barb
Life is a gift, don't waste it.

Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl

If they are married

If they are married, is there any requirement to inform the spouse ?
I am not saying that the spouse must agree, but if they are about to become part of a same (or newly different) -sex marriage they have a right to know.

No Notification Required in New Jersey, USA

Piper's picture

In the state of New Jersey here in the USA, it's as easy as filling out a gender declaration form, taking it to the DMV and paying the $11 duplicate license fee. It took me all of 30 minutes on a BUSY day and they even took a new picture as well.

There was no requirement to notify anyone (however my spouse knew) and the available options for gender were M, F and X.

NJ also has new rules on name change that don't require publishing notice, but you still have to go before a judge and pay the court/filing fees. Same for changing my gender on my birth certificate if I had been born in New Jersey.

As it is once my name change happens here, I will send the paperwork back to California to append my birth certificate with my new name and request the change of gender on that as well, and all will be complete.


"She was like a butterfly, full of color and vibrancy when she chose to open her wings, yet hardly visible when she closed them."
— Geraldine Brooks


The VA lets one use name they choose

BarbieLee's picture

I'm not going to flood this blog but the VA also lets intersex and or transgender chose the gender they prefer. I have that notice also along with a lot of other data referring to medical for same.

Q. I use a name other than my legal name. Can I add the name I use to my VA medical record?
It is VHA policy that Veterans must be addressed and referred to by the Veteran’s chosen name, even when Veteran is not present. A preferred name field has been created in the medical record system to help VA staff know this information. Preferred name may also be referred to as “chosen name” or “name used”. It is required that VHA staff use the name a Veteran requested when addressing or referring to them, including in conversation and clinical notes. Any Veteran may have a preferred name that differs from legal name listed on government-issued official identification or insurance documents. For example, a nickname. No documentation, form, or paperwork is required to have preferred name added to the electronic medical record. To have a preferred name added, the Veteran should contact registration and enrollment.

Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl

I tend to agree with you Ang.

To me, finally changing my gender was something I did not approach lightly. Going through the process of getting a gender reassignment certificate plus a statutory declaration gave the process a sense of gravity and even finality, This seemed to reinforce my right to call myself transgendered and adopt the mantle I wanted with some legal authority or more correctly, moral authority.

Walking the walk with GRS surgery and all the other hurdles seemed to add value to my journey.

Bev

bev_1.jpg

I know myself better than anyone else...

Piper's picture

This seemed to reinforce my right to call myself transgendered

I'm sorry you ever felt you didn't have the right to call yourself transgendered or felt that without transition or a doctors approval you weren't actually who you knew yourself to be. This should have never happened.


"She was like a butterfly, full of color and vibrancy when she chose to open her wings, yet hardly visible when she closed them."
— Geraldine Brooks