[DiamondSmiles]

The Huffington Post
By Amanda Scherker

Posted: 08/17/2013 11:08 AM EDT

As of November, Germany will be the first country in Europe to offer a, "third gender," distinction on its birth certificates.

A new German law stipulates that children who are born of indeterminate gender no longer have to be categorized as "male" or "female." Instead, parents can choose to leave the space blank on their child's birth certificate, according to German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. Those individuals can eventually decide whether to identify as male, female or neither.

The German legislature voted this as an amendment to the Civil Status Act on May 7. As Süddeutsche Zeitung recently noted, the "legal change has received little attention so far." But that all changed when some determined the new law, while progressive, doesn't go far enough.

FarMZ, a German Family Law Journal, recently outlined the measure's shortcomings as such: Once the third gender option is legal in Germany, those who choose to identify as "blank" are going to encounter a host of bureaucratic headaches when traveling abroad. The group suggests that Germany use an "X" to designate third-gender identifiers on its passports.

In the past, the country has been criticized for its stances on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues.

Though the Germany is more progressive than many of its neighbors, the law often lags behind public opinion. For instance, same-sex marriage is illegal, even though 74 percent of Germans are in favor of legalization, according to Reuters. Same-sex unions are legal, however, and partners are granted equal tax benefits as those of married couples.

Incidentally, Germany's not the only country navigating the legal implications of appropriately categorizing third gender identifiers. Earlier this year, Nepal began issuing, "third gender," citizenship certificates. Activists lauded the progressive measure, noting its potential to simplify lives for sexual minorities.

Meanwhile, Sweden's instituted a more vernacular solution to the gender dichotomy with "hen," a third-gender pronoun. The term was recently added to the Swedish National Encyclopedia as an alternative to masculine, "han" or feminine, "hon."

[DIfferent_Trains]

Very interesting. India also has a third legal gender, called Neuter, for the many Eunuchs and 'Hijras' that live there. I think Thailand may also have.

[Megamel29]

I think that's a great idea. There are many cases where someone was born with both genitalia or some mixed up combination and doctors/parents would choose one gender and then find out in the future the kid was meant to be the other one.

[Sharon]

Yet another PC tick box to print out on forms BUT do see it's advantages for those in that group. Wonder who'd identify themselves as "neither"

[knuggy]

[ices]

This has the feminist movement written all over it.

Seeing as those countries are pussified havens for the fem nazis

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by DIfferent_Trains ↗

Very interesting. India also has a third legal gender, called Neuter, for the many Eunuchs and 'Hijras' that live there. I think Thailand may also have.

I have a thread on here of some of the, "Third Gender," as they were called in the story.

Amazing how some people think! Some hate them, naturally, but, some think they are lucky, like the albinos in parts of Africa

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by Megamel29 ↗

I think that's a great idea. There are many cases where someone was born with both genitalia or some mixed up combination and doctors/parents would choose one gender and then find out in the future the kid was meant to be the other one.

I think the child should choose which he or she prefers when he or she decides.

Parents don't always make the right choice

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by Sharon. ↗

Yet another PC tick box to print out on forms BUT do see it's advantages for those in that group. Wonder who'd identify themselves as "neither"

Probably those who have nosey neighbors and don't think it's any of their business.

I never had those issues with what sex people are. Back in the Bowie days of the 70's, the audience was described as, "Girls, boys and those who knew not what they were."

Sometimes I didn't know, but, I talk to everyone until given reason not to.

Some people were very open and told you they were taking hormones or whatever they were doing. I never asked. There were alot of guys calling themselves, "Miss Thing," back then.

They were always fun

[ices]

Originally Posted by diamondsmiles ↗

I think the child should choose which he or she prefers when he or she decides.

Parents don't always make the right choice

You're a fucking idiot.

And idiots like you only exist because society is too weak to tell you to jump off a fucking cliff.

A CHILD has no grasp over the concepts discussed and issues as policies by ADULTS.

A FUCKING CHILD

Is that plain enough for you?