Queen does it for transsexuals
2004-07-01 20:07
London - A measure which will enable Britain's estimated 5 000 transsexuals to have their birth certificates changed and marry in their new gender gained royal assent from Queen Elizabeth on Thursday.
Under the Gender Recognition Act, transsexuals seeking legal recognition of their new gender will have to provide evidence that they intend to live fully and permanently in that gender, but they will not have to undergo sex-change surgery.
Until now, Britain has been one of only a few European Union nations that refused to let transsexual people officially change the gender on their birth certificate.
Europe's top court ruled last month that restricting marriage and pension rights for transsexuals violated European Union law.
The ruling by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg will apply to all EU countries, including the 10 mainly eastern European nations joining in May.
The gender recognition will be authorised by a panel of legal and medical experts.
Registrars and other professionals involved would be under a legal obligation not to divulge the fact that a person had changed gender.
However, clergy would be allowed to ask a prospective marriage partner if he or she had changed gender. If they found the answer unsatisfactory, they could refuse to conduct the marriage.
Royal assent, which is virtually automatic, is the last stage a bill goes through before becoming law. The Gender Recognition Act is expected to come into force next year.
- AP