The Government proposes to make it easier to change legal gender

-­The current system is unacceptable and has been unchanged for nearly 60 years. I am therefore very pleased to propose a completely new system that makes it much easier to change legal gender. The proposal values personal freedom and is a big step forward for LGBT-rights, says Minister of Health and Care Services Bent Høie.       

The consultation paper proposes that you can change you legal gender by filling out a document and sending it to the nearest Tax Office. There will be a clear distinction between medical treatment and the process of changing legal gender. The Ministry proposes that youths over the age of 16 can apply for change in legal gender by themselves. Children between the age of 7 and 16 can apply together with their parents.

­-The proposal is historic because it is now the individual and not the health services that decide when he or she has changed legal gender. This strengthens the human rights for this group, says Høie. 

Report from expert group

In April, Bent Høie received a report from an expert group that has reviewed the current system for changing legal gender, including the medical treatment. The Ministry is also presenting this report to consultation.

Read the consultation paper (in norwegian)

Read the report from the expert group (in norwegian)

Time limit for comments is November 15, 2015.