The reality about the new transgender law and why it certainly needs to be introduced. For clarity up front: changing the registered gender in your passport says nothing about a medical transition. That is a separate process that takes at least three years, involving multiple consultations; only after one year can hormone treatment start, and only a year after that can someone become eligible for surgeries.
Can someone change their registered gender themselves?
Yes — if the new law is passed, you will be able to inform the municipality where you live of your wish to change your registered gender without a declaration from an expert (doctor or psychologist). After a statutory reflection period of four weeks you must visit the town hall in person to confirm the change, and it will be updated in your passport.
Can someone under 16 change their registered gender?
No — under the proposed law, people under 16 could only change their registered gender with approval from a judge. If the judge agrees, they can have their gender changed at the municipality where they live and it will be reflected in their passport.
Why is it important that children under 16 can also change their registered gender?
Children often realise at a young age that they were born in the wrong body. When they have understanding parents, they often live according to their true gender well before they turn sixteen. If the gender and name in their passport and identity documents don’t match who they are, this frequently causes difficult and painful situations.
What happens if someone later regrets it and changes their mind?
There is a long internal struggle before someone dares to reveal their true identity. People do not decide to change their registered gender lightly. Once they have made that decision they usually want it implemented as soon as possible. But if, for some unusual reason, they do regret it, the gender registration can be changed again. Changing your registered gender is free twice; after that there are costs involved.
"The initiators of the Gendertwijfel manifesto call the law ‘unnecessary’. In my view, our community is best placed to decide whether the law is necessary. Instead of talking about people, we should talk with people, and listen to the needs of our transgender community",said Thorn de Vries
"No one can decide for you who you are or how you feel. Be you and One Love", said BeyonG Veldkamp
"If trans people are not taken seriously and are denied or restricted in their ability to be themselves, we will only see suicide rates and attempts increase rather than decrease",said Jason Bhugwandass
"Being trans is not a choice — you are trans." said Sherry Jae Ebere
"From the age of four I didn’t fit the norm of the average preschooler. Because of my girlish facial expressions and body language, I noticed people around me doubting me because of my authentic gender expression. Society is structured around boys and girls, so any child who doesn’t fit is immediately an outsider. I never doubted my gender — it’s society that only makes room for male and female bodies and male and female feelings. Anyone who is fluid in this regard immediately meets resistance. No one should doubt another person’s gender. I do, however, doubt those who want to take away trans people’s right to self-determination. I doubt the intentions of women who would deprive trans, gender-diverse and non-binary people of their right to bodily autonomy. Trans women face the most backlash from transphobic hate coming from men and women who, out of doubt and ignorance, see aggression and violence against us as a legitimate way to vent their anger and frustration." said Dinah Bons
"People sow fear as if we do things that are very likely to be regretted. It may have happened sometimes, but that chance is truly a thousand times smaller than the chance people regret their marriage. We don't abolish marriage for that reason, even though divorces often leave people hurt." said Loena Maas
"By being 100% myself I stay true to myself — there is no doubt about that", said Jackson
"I always knew who I was. I was born this way — it wasn’t a choice!" said Ana Paula Lima
"Opponents say the new transgender law affects everyone. That is completely wrong. It only affects the people it concerns and no one who has nothing to do with it. They are just trying to spread fear and make people believe that as a parent you might suddenly be told by your son or daughter at dinner that they changed their gender that afternoon. As a parent you have usually seen this coming for years and have had conversations about it. In almost all cases, the children involved are actually supported by their parents.",said Valentijn de Hingh
