Gender self-identification

In April 2015, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution 2048 (2015), within which "the Assembly calls on Member States to ... develop quick, transparent and accessible procedures, based on self-determination ... available for all people who seek to use them, irrespective of age, medical status, financial situation or police record".{{citation |url=https://pace.coe.int/en/files/21736/html |title=Discrimination against transgender people in Europe – Resolution 2048 (2015) |publisher=Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe |date=22 April 2015 |access-date=21 October 2021 }}

Also in 2015, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated that "abusive requirements as a precondition of recognition — for example, by requiring ... forced gender reassignment and other medical procedures" are "in violation of international human rights standards".{{citation |url=https://undocs.org/A/HRC/29/23 |title=Discrimination and violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity |author=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |author-link=Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |publisher=United Nations Human Rights Council |date=4 May 2015 |access-date=21 October 2021 |id=A/HRC/29/23 |at=paragraph 73 }}

In 2018, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the United Nations Independent Expert on Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, stated that "the right to self-determine one's gender was a fundamental part of a person's freedom and a cornerstone of the person's identity"{{citation |url=https://undocs.org/A/HRC/47/27 |title=The law of inclusion: Report of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Victor Madrigal-Borloz |first=Victor |last=Madrigal-Borloz |author-link=Victor Madrigal-Borloz |publisher=United Nations Human Rights Council |date=3 June 2021 |access-date=21 October 2021 |id=A/HRC/47/27 |at=paragraph 36 }} and that states' obligations included "adopting legal measures such as being based on self-determination [and] ensuring that minors have access to recognition of their gender identity".

In 2014, Amnesty International released a report titled The state decides who I am: Lack of Legal Gender Recognition For Transgender People in Europe.{{Cite news|last=Saner|first=Emine|date=1 September 2014|title=Europe's terrible trans rights record: will Denmark's new law spark change?|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/shortcuts/2014/sep/01/europe-terrible-trans-rights-record-denmark-new-law|access-date=28 November 2021}} The report criticized European countries for legal gender recognition laws that were based on stereotypical gender norms and violated rights such as the right to private and family life, recognition before the law, the highest attainable standard of health, and freedom from cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. Amnesty argued that transgender individuals should have access to legal gender recognition through quick, accessible, and transparent procedures that align with their own perceptions of gender identity.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2014|title=The state decides who I am|url=https://www.amnesty.eu/news/the-state-decides-who-i-am00024/|access-date=28 November 2021|work=Amnesty International}}

To mark Transgender Awareness Week in November 2019, Dentons produced a report titled Only adults? Good practices in legal gender recognition for youth, written along with IGLYO and the Thomson Reuters Foundation.{{Cite news|last=Hamilton|first=Jamie|date=29 November 2019|title=Dentons campaigns for kids to switch gender without parental approval|work=Rollonfriday|url=https://www.rollonfriday.com/news-content/dentons-campaigns-kids-switch-gender-without-parental-approval|access-date=27 November 2021}}{{Cite news|last=Cross|first=Michael|date=20 November 2019|title=Campaigners for gender recognition law 'should avoid media'|work=The Law Society Gazette|url=https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/campaigners-for-gender-recognition-law-should-avoid-media/5102234.article|access-date=27 November 2021}} The report examined the status of legal gender recognition for minors in several European countries and positioned itself as a "powerful tool for activists."

Based on international children's rights standards, the report advocated for the right of individuals under 18 to obtain legal gender recognition based on self-declaration, the recognition of a third gender marker, publicly accessible transgender healthcare, and legal protections against discrimination based on gender identity. It also examined successful strategies for reform campaigns, emphasizing the importance of targeting younger politicians and youth wings of political parties, highlighting depathologization and human rights aspects, using personal stories to humanize the issue, intervening early in the legislative process, and fostering strong collaboration among advocacy groups.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 2019|title=Only adults? Good practices in legal gender recognition for youth|url=https://www.iglyo.com/only-adults/|access-date=26 November 2021|work=Dentons}}

In the 2017 case ND v. Attorney General of Botswana and Another, the High Court of Botswana ruled that the government must "ensure that procedures exist whereby all State-issued identity documents which indicate a person’s gender/sex reflect the person’s self-identified gender identity." Although there is no current legislation on legal gender recognition in Botswana, this ruling established a precedent for recognizing gender identity based on self-identification.{{cite web|url=https://www.escr-net.org/caselaw/2019/nd-v-attorney-general-botswana-and-others|title=High Court of Botswana Protects Transgender Man's Right to Have Identity Document Reflect His Gender Identity|website=ESCR-Net}}{{cite web|url=https://www.southernafricalitigationcentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Botswana-Gender-Marker-Report.pdf|title=Legal Gender Recognition in Botswana|date=October 2020|website=Southern Africa Litigation Centre}}{{cite web|url=https://www.transadvocate.com/african-voices-well-behaved-women-rarely-make-history_n_20580.htm|title=African Voices: Well behaved women rarely make history|last=Tanhira|first=Miles|date=August 23, 2017|website=Transadvocate.com}}

File:Gender self-identification in the Americas.svg

A 2018 study published in BMC International Health and Human Rights found that "the majority of countries from South America allow their transgender citizens to change name and gender in legal documents in a fast, easy, and inexpensive manner" and noted that "legislation to protect [sexual and gender minority] rights in South America underwent fundamental and positive transformations" during the 2010s. However, the study also highlighted that "transgender people are unable to change their gender in public records and legal documents in several Latin America and the Caribbean countries—mostly in the Caribbean and Mesoamerica."{{Cite journal|doi = 10.1186/s12914-019-0217-3|title = Sexual and gender minorities rights in Latin America and the Caribbean: A multi-country evaluation|year = 2019|last1 = Malta|first1 = Monica|last2 = Cardoso|first2 = Reynaldo|last3 = Montenegro|first3 = Luiz|last4 = De Jesus|first4 = Jaqueline Gomes|last5 = Seixas|first5 = Michele|last6 = Benevides|first6 = Bruna|last7 = Das Dores Silva|first7 = Maria|last8 = Legrand|first8 = Sara|last9 = Whetten|first9 = Kathryn|journal = BMC International Health and Human Rights|volume = 19|issue = 1|page = 31|pmid = 31694637|pmc = 6836409 | doi-access=free }}

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Uruguay have self-identification laws. Similar laws also exist in several Canadian provinces, as well as in some Mexican and U.S. states.

In 2012, Argentina enacted the Ley de Género, becoming the first country to allow individuals to change their gender identity without medical requirements.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/argentina-approves-transgender-rights-id-changes-sex-change-operations-and-hormone-therapy/2012/05/09/gIQAToWAEU_story.html|title=Argentina OKs transgender rights: ID changes, sex-change operations and hormone therapy|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=9 May 2012|access-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331071108/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/argentina-approves-transgender-rights-id-changes-sex-change-operations-and-hormone-therapy/2012/05/09/gIQAToWAEU_story.html|archive-date=31 March 2019}} In 2015, the World Health Organization cited Argentina as an exemplary country for providing transgender rights.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2016-04-04/argentinas-field-of-dreams-for-the-lgbt|title=Argentina's Field of Dreams for the LGBT|last1=Lahrichi|first1=Kamilia|last2=La Valle|first2=Leo|date=April 4, 2016|work=U.S. News & World Report|publisher=U.S. News & World Report L.P.|access-date=November 22, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122161910/http://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2016-04-04/argentinas-field-of-dreams-for-the-lgbt|archive-date=November 22, 2016}}

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Human Rights analyzed the factors leading to the creation of the law. It concluded that "a more institutionalized group played a major role in getting the issue on the agenda, while a more radical challenger coalition was crucial in developing and advancing the ground-breaking content."{{Cite journal |doi = 10.1080/14754835.2018.1450739|title = The political mediation of Argentina's gender identity law: LGBT activism and rights innovation|year = 2018|last1 = Hollar|first1 = Julie|journal = Journal of Human Rights|volume = 17|issue = 4|pages = 453–469|s2cid = 149480996|doi-access = free}}{{Cite journal |doi = 10.1080/09614524.2013.802291|title = From embarrassing objects to subjects of rights: The Argentine LGBT movement and the Equal Marriage and Gender Identity laws|year = 2013|last1 = Pousadela|first1 = Inés M.|journal = Development in Practice|volume = 23|issue = 5–06|pages = 701–720|s2cid = 143126497}}

The Gender Identity Law allows individuals over the age of 18 to legally change their name, gender, and photograph on official documents. While surgeries, hormone therapy, or a judicial order are not required, a psychological examination confirming the individual's informed consent is necessary. The law came into effect on 1 August 2016.{{cite web |title=Ley N° 807 de Identidad de Género |url=https://sistemas.mre.gov.br/kitweb/datafiles/SantaCruz/pt-br/file/bolivia%20-%20ley%20807%20-%20ley%20de%20identidad%20de%20g%C3%A9nero%20-%2022%20mai%2016.pdf |access-date=16 November 2022}}

On March 1, 2018, the Supreme Federal Court ruled that transgender individuals have the right to change their official name and sex based solely on self-declaration of their psychosocial identity. On June 29, 2018, the Corregedoria Nacional de Justiça, a body of the National Council of Justice, published regulations for registry offices to follow regarding this process.{{cite web|url=https://oglobo.globo.com/brasil/transexuais-ja-podem-mudar-nome-em-documentos-nos-cartorios-de-todo-pais-22836060|title=Transexuais já podem mudar nome em documentos nos cartórios de todo país|date=June 29, 2018|trans-title=Transsexuals can now change their names in documents at registry offices throughout the country|website=O Globo|language=pt}}

As a federation, Canada’s legal gender recognition procedures vary by province and territory. At the federal level, Canadians can change the gender marker on their passports through self-identification.{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/change-sex.html|title=Choose or update the gender identifier on your passport or travel document|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|last=Immigration|date=February 2, 2017|website=www.canada.ca}}

In Québec, legal gender recognition has operated on an affidavit basis since 2015. In 2021, the Coalition Avenir Québec government introduced Bill 2, proposing to reinstate a surgical requirement.{{cite web|url=https://www.lesoleil.com/actualite/quebec-facilitera-le-changement-de-sexe-9b62fb357fc5c07c4afa4d55a5792647|title=Québec facilitera le changement de sexe|last=Boivin|first=Simon|date=September 5, 2015|website=Le Soleil|language=fr}}{{cite web|url=https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/trans-rights-advocates-raise-alarm-over-quebec-birth-certificate-proposal-calling-it-huge-regression-1.5633254|title=Trans-rights advocates raise alarm over Quebec birth certificate proposal, calling it 'huge regression'|first1=Luca|last1=Caruso-Moro|first2=Selena|last2=Ross|date=21 October 2021|website=CTV News}} Following significant controversy, Québec Minister of Justice Simon Jolin-Barrette announced the removal of this provision from the bill.{{cite web|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/quebec/646068/quebec-recule-sur-les-aspects-juges-transphobes-de-son-projet-de-loi-2|title=Québec recule sur les aspects jugés transphobes de son projet de loi 2 |last=Carabin|first=François|date=November 9, 2021|website=Le Devoir|language=fr}}

In 2017, Newfoundland and Labrador abolished the requirement for a medical letter, transitioning to a self-declaration process.{{cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/newfoundland-to-allow-switch-to-gender-neutral-birth-certificates|title=Newfoundland to allow switch to gender-neutral birth certificates|agency=The Canadian Press|newspaper=Nationalpost|date=September 21, 2017}} Alberta followed in 2018, allowing legal gender changes through an affidavit and eliminating the need for a psychiatrist's letter.{{cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/gender-inclusive-id-documents-introduced|title=Gender-inclusive ID documents introduced|first=Greg|last=Southam|date=June 8, 2018|website=Edmonton Journal}}{{cite web|url=https://www.alberta.ca/birth-record-sex-amendment.aspx|title=Sex indicator amendment on an Alberta birth record|website=www.alberta.ca}} Nova Scotia adopted an affidavit process in 2019,{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5470947/nova-scotia-gender-option-changes-id-documents/|title=Nova Scotia to unveil gender option changes for identity documents|date=July 8, 2019|website=Global News}} and in 2022, British Columbia removed the medical letter requirement for adults seeking legal gender changes.{{cite web|url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022HLTH0002-000056|title=Improving gender designation process for people in B.C.|date=January 14, 2022|website=BC Gov News}}

As of October 2021, Alberta, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and all territories do not permit legal gender changes for those born outside of their jurisdictions. Federally, refugee claimants gained the right to change their legal gender in November 2020,{{cite web|last=Immigration|first=Refugees and Citizenship Canada|date=2020-11-19|title=Program delivery update: Sex or gender identifier on IRCC documents and in IRCC systems|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/2020-sex-gender.html|access-date=2020-12-12|website=aem}} and in March 2021, temporary residents were granted the same right without needing a passport change.{{cite web|date=March 30, 2021|title=Temporary residents can now change their sex identifiers on Canadian immigration documents|url=https://www.cicnews.com/2021/03/temporary-residents-can-now-change-their-sex-identifiers-on-canadian-immigration-documents-0317640.html|last=Moetaz|first=Mohanad|access-date=2021-04-19|website=www.cicnews.com|language=en-US}}

Since 2019, Chile's Gender Identity Law (Law 21,120) recognizes the right to self-perceived gender identity, allowing transgender individuals aged 14 and older to change their name and gender on official documents without prohibitive requirements. For individuals over the age of 18, the change is made by submitting a request to the Civil Registry and Identification Service without needing to provide evidence of medical interventions.

For minors aged 14 to 18, the process must be carried out in family courts and requires the permission and support of their legal representatives. While the process for minors does not mandate medical reports, it does require documentation on their psychosocial and family context.

The law enshrines key principles, including non-pathologization, protection from arbitrary discrimination, confidentiality, dignity in treatment, the best interests of the child, and recognition of progressive autonomy.{{cite web |title=LEY NÚM. 21.120 RECONOCE Y DA PROTECCIÓN AL DERECHO A LA IDENTIDAD DE GÉNERO |url=https://www.diariooficial.interior.gob.cl/publicaciones/2018/12/10/42225/01/1508085.pdf |website=diariooficial.interior.gob.cl |access-date=18 October 2022 |date=10 December 2018}}

Since 2015, Colombians have been able to change their legal gender and name by expressing their solemn will before a notary, without the need for surgeries or a judicial order. On June 4, 2015, the Colombian government issued Decree 1227 to simplify this process for adults aged 18 and older.{{cite web |title=DECRETO 1227 DE 2015 |url=https://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/viewDocument.asp?ruta=Decretos/30019850#:~:text=DECRETO%201227%20DE%202015&text=por%20el%20cual%20se%20adiciona,el%20Registro%20del%20Estado%20Civil. |access-date=16 November 2022 |language=es}} The decree, signed by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior, says the gender change is justified by a person's individual choice and removes the requirement for medical examinations.{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/lesterfeder/these-ten-trans-people-just-became-the-first-to-celebrate-co|title=These Ten Trans People Just Got Their First IDs Under Colombia's New Gender Rules|website=BuzzFeed|date=10 June 2015 |access-date=16 November 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/colombia-allows-transgender-community-change-sex-ids-without-physical-exams-1957412|title=Colombia Allows Transgender Community To Change Sex on IDs Without Physical Exams|website=International Business Times|date=8 June 2015|access-date=16 November 2022}}

In 2016, a bill was introduced to Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly to allow transgender individuals to legally change their name and gender without requiring surgery or judicial permission.{{cite web|title=Change in Sex Designation in Identity Card (Cedula) Possible If Bill Is Approved|url=http://qcostarica.com/change-in-sex-designation-in-identity-card-cedula-possible-if-bill-is-approved/|website=Q Costa Rica|access-date=20 May 2018|date=19 January 2016}} By June 2017, the bill advanced to the Human Rights Committee,{{cite web|title=Personas trans podrían cambiar su sexo en el Registro al cumplir 18 años|url=https://www.nacion.com/el-pais/personas-trans-podrian-cambiar-su-sexo-en-el-registro-al-cumplir-18-anos/JTQS3CYBWJDZDIO4IOWNTXZLSU/story/|last=Sequeira|first=Aarón|website=La Nación|access-date=20 May 2018|language=es-LA|date=7 June 2017}} and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal endorsed it,{{cite web|title=TSE avala plan que permite cambio de género a personas transexuales|url=https://www.nacion.com/el-pais/politica/tse-avala-plan-que-permite-cambio-de-genero-a-personas-transexuales/FOBDBVBRQNCSNPPYKLED7S6NAE/story/|last=Mata|first=Esteban|website=La Nación|access-date=20 May 2018|language=es-LA|date=13 June 2017}} but it ultimately failed to pass.

In January 2018, following a ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the 2018 Costa Rican general election, President Carlos Alvarado Quesada issued an executive decree mandating that all state institutions allow transgender individuals to modify their documents and internal records, including passports, driving licenses, ID cards, work permits, university identifications, based on self-declaration.{{cite web|url=http://www.laprensalibre.cr/Noticias/detalle/135780/alvarado-firma-decreto-que-favorece-a-transexuales|title=Alvarado firma decreto que favorece a transexuales|date=June 28, 2018|website=www.laprensalibre.cr|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214212842/http://www.laprensalibre.cr/Noticias/detalle/135780/alvarado-firma-decreto-que-favorece-a-transexuales|archive-date=February 14, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.presidencia.go.cr/comunicados/2018/06/instituciones-deberan-modificar-documentos-para-que-sean-acordes-con-la-identidad-de-genero/|title=Instituciones deberán modificar documentos para que sean acordes con la identidad de género|date=28 June 2018|website=Presidencia de la República de Costa Rica|language=es}} In December 2018, President Alvarado signed an additional executive order extending this right to immigrants.{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20181221-costa-rica-passes-decrees-boosting-lgbt-rights|title=Costa Rica passes decrees boosting LGBT rights|date=21 December 2018|website=France 24}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/08/08/costa-rica-joins-global-push-recognize-legal-gender-self-identification|title=Costa Rica Joins Global Push to Recognize Legal Gender Self-Identification |last=Vivanco|first=José Miguel|date=8 August 2018|website=Human Rights Watch}}

Since 2016, Ecuadorians have been allowed to change the sex marker on their personal identity documents to a "gender" marker, choosing either masculine or feminine. Applicants seeking this change on their identity card must present two witnesses. Changing the sex marker in the civil registry requires a judicial order.{{cite web|title=LEY ORGÁNICA DE GESTIÓN DE LA IDENTIDAD Y DATOS CIVILES|url=http://www.asambleanacional.gob.ec/es/system/files/ro_ley_organica_de_gestion_de_la_identidad_y_datos_civiles_ro_684_2do_supl_04-02-2015.pdf|website=Asambleanacional.gob.ec|access-date=16 November 2022|language=es-LA|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806145113/http://www.asambleanacional.gob.ec/es/system/files/ro_ley_organica_de_gestion_de_la_identidad_y_datos_civiles_ro_684_2do_supl_04-02-2015.pdf|archive-date=6 August 2016}}

File:Gender self-identification in Mexico.svg

As a federation, Mexico's legal gender recognition procedures vary by state.

On 13 November 2014, the Legislative Assembly of Mexico City unanimously (46–0) approved a gender identity law. This law simplified the process for transgender individuals to change their legal gender.{{cite web |url=https://www.sdpnoticias.com/gay/2014/11/13/aprueban-reforma-a-la-ley-de-identidad-de-genero-en-la-ciudad-de-mexico |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728200936/https://www.sdpnoticias.com/gay/2014/11/13/aprueban-reforma-a-la-ley-de-identidad-de-genero-en-la-ciudad-de-mexico |url-status=dead |title=Aprueban reforma a la ley de identidad de género en la Ciudad de México |date=13 November 2014 |archive-date=July 28, 2017 }} Under its provisions, individuals only need to notify the Civil Registry of their wish to update the gender information on their birth certificates, without requiring sex reassignment surgery, psychological therapy, or any medical diagnosis. The law took effect in early 2015.{{cite web |url=http://desastre.mx/mexico/se-han-realizado-3-mil-481-rectificaciones-de-actas-de-nacimiento-de-personas-transgenero-en-cdmx/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122185749/http://desastre.mx/mexico/se-han-realizado-3-mil-481-rectificaciones-de-actas-de-nacimiento-de-personas-transgenero-en-cdmx/ |url-status=dead |title=Se han realizado 3 mil 481 rectificaciones de actas de nacimiento de personas transgénero en CDMX |date=15 October 2018 |archive-date=22 January 2019 }}

{{As of|2024|11|post=,}} 22 other states have enacted similar laws,{{cite web|date=21 June 2022|title=Mexico: Barriers for Trans People in Guanajuato State|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/06/21/mexico-barriers-trans-people-guanajuato-state|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=27 July 2022|work=Human Rights Watch}} including{{Cite book |url=https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/mexico |title=Mexico: Events of 2019 |date=December 9, 2019 |publisher=Human Rights Watch }}{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/10/29/mexico-transgender-ruling-beacon-change |title=Mexico Transgender Ruling a Beacon for Change |last=Ghoshal |first=Neela |date=October 29, 2018 |publisher=Human Rights Watch }} Michoacán (2017),{{cite web |url=http://desastre.mx/mexico/aprueban-ley-de-identidad-de-genero-en-michoacan/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729001426/http://desastre.mx/mexico/aprueban-ley-de-identidad-de-genero-en-michoacan/ |archive-date=2017-07-29 |title=Aprueban Ley de Identidad de Género en Michoacán |date=July 29, 2017 |language=es |website=desastre.mx }} Nayarit (2017),{{cite web |url=http://almomento.mx/aprueba-congreso-nayarit-ley-identidad-genero/ |title=Aprueba Congreso de Nayarit ley de identidad de género |website=Almomento.mx |date=22 July 2017 |access-date=2021-10-28 |language=es }} Coahuila (2018),{{cite web |url=https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/aprueban-cambio-de-identidad-de-genero-en-coahuila-0 |title=Aprueban cambio de identidad de género en Coahuila |last=Rodríguez |first=Francisco |date=November 13, 2018 |website=El Universal |language=es }} Hidalgo (2019),{{cite web |url=https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/estados/diputados-de-hidalgo-aprueban-cambios-de-genero-en-actas-de-nacimiento |title=Diputados de Hidalgo aprueban cambios de género en actas de nacimiento |date=April 25, 2019 |website=El Universal }} San Luis Potosí (2019),{{cite web |url=http://laorquesta.mx/es-oficial-las-personas-trans-ya-pueden-cambiar-de-identidad-en-slp/ |title=Es oficial, las personas trans ya pueden cambiar de identidad en SLP |language=es |date=17 May 2019 |website=LaOrquesta.mx }} Colima (2019),{{cite web |url=https://heraldodemexico.com.mx/estados/congreso-de-colima-aprueba-cambio-de-identidad-de-genero-en-documentos-oficiales/ |title=Congreso de Colima aprueba cambio de identidad de género en documentos oficiales |work=El Herlado de México |date=13 February 2019 |language=es |access-date=28 October 2021 |archive-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502051349/https://heraldodemexico.com.mx/estados/congreso-de-colima-aprueba-cambio-de-identidad-de-genero-en-documentos-oficiales/ |url-status=dead }} Oaxaca (2019),{{cite web |url=https://www.e-oaxaca.mx/2019/08/30/avanza-oaxaca-en-reconocimiento-a-la-identidad-de-genero-congreso/ |title=Avanza Oaxaca en reconocimiento a la identidad de género: Congreso |work=e-oaxaca.mx |date=30 August 2019 |language=es |access-date=28 October 2021 |archive-date=14 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114204515/https://e-oaxaca.mx/2019/08/30/avanza-oaxaca-en-reconocimiento-a-la-identidad-de-genero-congreso/ |url-status=dead }} Tlaxcala (2019),{{cite web |last=Rodríguez |first=Areli |url=https://tlaxcala.quadratin.com.mx/municipios/tlaxcala/aprueban-en-tlaxcala-cambio-de-identidad-de-genero/ |title=Aprueban en Tlaxcala cambio de identidad de género |date=1 October 2019 |website=Quadratin |language=es |access-date=March 16, 2021 }} Chihuahua (2019),{{cite web |url=https://www.proceso.com.mx/608332/en-chihuahua-personas-trans-pueden-adecuar-acta-de-nacimiento-sin-un-amparo |title=En Chihuahua, personas trans pueden adecuar acta de nacimiento sin un amparo |work=Proceso |date=26 November 2019 |language=es |last=Mayorga |first=Patricia }} Sonora (2020),{{cite news |url=https://www.elsoldehermosillo.com.mx/local/aprueban-ley-de-identidad-de-genero-sonora-comunidad-trans-trasexuales-transgenero-lgbt-activistas-diputados-congreso-5833551.html/amp? |last=Maytorena |first=Alberto |title=¡Lo lograron! Aprueban Ley de Identidad de Género en Sonora |date=October 1, 2020 |newspaper=El Sol de Hermosillo |access-date=March 16, 2021 |language=es }} Jalisco (2020),{{cite web |url=https://www.debate.com.mx/guadalajara/Jalisco-reconoce-el-derecho-a-la-identidad-de-personas-Trans-para-todas-la-edades-20201030-0190.html |last=Orozco |first=Mariana |title=Jalisco reconoce el derecho a la identidad de personas Trans para todas la edades |date=October 30, 2020 |language=es |website=debate |access-date=March 16, 2021}} Quintana Roo (2020),{{cite web |url=https://www.razon.com.mx/estados/aprueban-cambio-identidad-genero-nombre-personas-trans-quintana-roo-413037 |title=Aprueban cambio en identidad de genero y Nombre de Personas Trans en Quintana Roo |date=November 18, 2020 |website=La Razon |language=es |access-date=March 16, 2021}} Puebla (2021),{{cite web |url=https://www.animalpolitico.com/2021/02/aprueban-ley-agnes-puebla-derecho-identidad-genero/ |title=Aprueban #LeyAgnes: Puebla Reconoce el Derecho al Cambio de Identidad de genero |date=February 25, 2021 |website=Animal Politico |language=es |access-date=March 16, 2021 |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815181511/https://www.animalpolitico.com/2021/02/aprueban-ley-agnes-puebla-derecho-identidad-genero/ |url-status=dead }} Baja California Sur (2021),{{cite web |title=Baja California Sur aprueba Ley de Identidad Trans; va contra terapias de conversión |url=https://www.sdpnoticias.com/diversidad/baja-california-sur-aprueba-ley-de-identidad-trans |access-date=2021-07-31 |website=sdpnoticias |date=29 June 2021 |language=en}} the State of Mexico (2021){{cite web |first=Violeta |last=Huerta |title=Aprueban Ley de Identidad de Género en el Edomex |url=https://www.elsoldetoluca.com.mx/local/aprueban-ley-de-identidad-de-genero-en-el-edomex-6985403.html |access-date=2021-08-07 |website=El Sol de Toluca |language=en}} Morelos (2021), Baja California (2022),{{cite web |url=http://www.derechoshumanosbc.org/noticias/informa-cedhbc-sobre-derecho-adecuaci%C3%B3n-sexo-gen%C3%A9rica-en-actas-de-nacimiento |title=Informa CEDHBC sobre derecho a adecuación sexo-genérica en actas de nacimiento |work=Baja California State Commission for Human Rights |date=18 June 2019 |location=Tijuana |language=es |access-date=28 October 2021 |archive-date=15 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815181134/http://www.derechoshumanosbc.org/noticias/informa-cedhbc-sobre-derecho-adecuaci%C3%B3n-sexo-gen%C3%A9rica-en-actas-de-nacimiento |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.derechoshumanosbc.org/sites/default/files/RECO%205-19.pdf |title=Recomendación No. 5/2019 |work=Comisión Estatal de los Derechos Humanos Baja California |language=es |date=15 April 2019 |access-date=28 October 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711232907/http://www.derechoshumanosbc.org/sites/default/files/RECO%205-19.pdf |url-status=dead }} Sinaloa (2022),{{cite web |title=LGR Chart Mexico |url=https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/media_2022/06/LGR%20Chart.pdf |access-date=16 November 2022}} Zacatecas (2022), Yucatán (2024), and Campeche (2024)

As the United States is a federation, legal gender recognition laws vary by state. As of July 2021, 21 states and the District of Columbia allow the gender marker on driver's licenses to be updated based on self-declaration. As of April 2020, 10 states permit the gender marker on birth certificates to be updated on the same basis.{{cite web|url=https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/Drivers%20License%20Grades%20July%202021a_0.pdf|title=How Trans Friendly is the Driver's License Gender Marker Change Policy in Your State?|website=National Center for Transgender Equality|date=July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/images/Summary%20of%20State%20Birth%20Certificate%20Laws%20Apr%2028%202020.pdf|title=Summary of State Birth Certificate Gender Change Laws|date=April 2020|website=National Center for Transgender Equality}} At the federal level, since June 2021, the gender marker on U.S. passports has been based on a system of self-identification.{{cite news |last1=Larkin |first1=Alexandra |title=Americans will be able to self-identify their gender on their passports |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/american-passports-gender-self-identify/ |access-date=17 October 2021 |work=CBS News |date=30 June 2021}}

In 2017, the California State Legislature passed the Gender Recognition Act (SB 179), eliminating the requirement for a physician’s statement and mandatory court hearing for gender change petitions. The Act allows changes based on an affidavit and introduced a third, non-binary gender marker for California birth certificates, driver's licenses, and identity cards.{{cite web|url=https://transgenderlawcenter.org/resources/id/ca-sb179|title=Fact Sheet: California's Gender Recognition Act (SB 179)|website=Transgender Law Center|access-date=2021-11-05|archive-date=2023-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406000749/https://transgenderlawcenter.org/resources/id/ca-sb179|url-status=dead}}

Since 2019, transgender people in Uruguay have been able to self-identify their gender and update their legal name without judicial approval, following the enactment of the Comprehensive Law for Trans Persons (Ley Integral Para Personas Trans). The law does not require medical intervention to change one's gender on official documents.{{cite web |title=Ley N° 19684 |url=https://www.impo.com.uy/bases/leyes/19684-2018 |website=www.impo.com.uy |access-date=16 November 2022}}{{cite web |title=Trans people in Uruguay can now self-identify their gender, without surgery |url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/uruguay-transgender-rights/#gs.3e8cX3A0 |website=Gay Star News |access-date=16 November 2022 |language=en-gb |date=19 October 2018 |archive-date=9 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809033252/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/uruguay-transgender-rights/#gs.3e8cX3A0 |url-status=live }}

In India, the Supreme Court affirmed the right to self-determination in two 2014 cases.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-27031180 |title=India court recognises transgender people as third gender |work=BBC News Online |date=15 April 2014 |access-date=21 October 2021 }}{{cite journal |url=http://nujslawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/13-3-Kothari-Trans-Equality-in-India-Affirmation-of-the-Right-to-Self-Determination-of-Gender.pdf |title=Trans equality in India: Affirmation of the right to self-determination of gender |first=Jayna |last=Kothari |journal=NUJS Law Review |volume=13 |issue=3 |date=2020 }}

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 recognizes the right to self-perceived gender identity, allowing transgender individuals to register under a third gender (transgender). Applications must be submitted to the District Magistrate, who can issue a certificate of identity as a Transgender Person and update official documents (Sections 5-6). Identification as male or female requires proof of gender confirmation surgery or medical intervention (Section 7).{{cite web |title=Guide on the Rights of Transgender Persons in India |url=https://nyaaya.org/resource/guide-on-the-rights-of-transgender-persons-in-india/ |website=Nyaaya |access-date=16 November 2022}}

The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020 simplified the procedure for obtaining an identity certificate from the District Magistrate. Under these rules, a single form can be used to declare either transgender or trans-binary status, though medical intervention is required for the latter.{{cite web |title=The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020 |url=https://thc.nic.in/Central%20Governmental%20Rules/Transgender%20Persons%20(Protection%20of%20Rights)%20Rules,%202020.pdf |access-date=16 November 2022}} In November 2020, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched an online portal for gender marker changes. Through this portal, applicants submit an affidavit self-declaring their third gender and can receive a new identity card within 30 days.{{cite web|date=25 November 2020|title=Trans people can now self-identify their gender with a few clicks as India launches revolutionary online portal|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/11/25/india-transgender-online-portal-ministry-social-justice-empowerment/|author-last=Kelleher|author-first=Patrick|access-date=27 July 2022|work=PinkNews}}

In 2007, in the Sunil Babu Pant and Others v. Nepal Government court case on LGBT+ rights, the Supreme Court of Nepal legally established a gender category called "other".Supreme Court of Nepal. Apr. 2007. [http://icj.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Sunil-Babu-Pant-and-Others-v.-Nepal-Government-and-Others-Supreme-Court-of-Nepal.pdf Sunil Babu Pant and Others v. Nepal Government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011064131/http://icj.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Sunil-Babu-Pant-and-Others-v.-Nepal-Government-and-Others-Supreme-Court-of-Nepal.pdf |date=11 October 2016 }}{{cite journal |last1=Bochenek |first1=Michael |last2=Knight |first2=Kyle |title=Establishing a Third Gender Category in Nepal: Process and Prognosis |journal=Emory International Law Review |date=1 January 2012 |volume=26 |issue=1 |page=11 |url=https://scholarlycommons.law.emory.edu/eilr/vol26/iss1/3/ }} The Supreme Court stated that the criteria for identifying one's gender is based on the individual's self-identification.{{cite web |url=http://nkp.gov.np/full_detail/8926 | title=निर्णय नं. ९८७५ – परमादेश (The official supreme court decision |work=Nepal Law Magazine }}

Nepal's gender recognition laws have faced criticism for their limitations. These laws only allow individuals to change their gender marker from "M" (male) or "F" (female) to "O" (other). They do not permit transgender women to obtain an "F" marker or transgender men to obtain an "M" marker.{{cite web |url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-11-16/moving-beyond-two-stuck-in-three.html |title=Moving beyond two, stuck in three |last=Kapali |first=Rukshana |date=November 16, 2018 |work=The Kathmandu Post }}{{cite web |date=September 25, 2020 |title=The reality of transgender rights in Nepal |url=https://www.recordnepal.com/the-reality-of-transgender-rights-in-nepal |access-date=2021-03-15 |website=The Record |language=en }}

Under the Transgender Person (Protection of Rights) Act 2018 ({{langx|ur|مُتَجَنَّس افراد کے لیے (تحفظ حقوق) قانون 2018ء}}), Pakistanis are allowed to self-identify their gender as male, female, both, or neither. They may express their gender according to their own preferences and have their chosen gender identity reflected on official documents, including National Identification Cards, passports, driver's licenses, and educational certificates.{{cite news|last1=Hashim|first1=Asad|title=Pakistan passes landmark transgender rights law|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/pakistan-passes-landmark-transgender-rights-law-180509095207950.html|access-date=10 May 2018|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=9 May 2018}}

File:Gender self-identification in Europe.svg

As of November 2024, 12 countries have established legal gender recognition procedures based on self-determination: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland.{{cite web |title=THEMATIC REPORT ON LEGAL GENDER RECOGNITION IN EUROPE |url=https://rm.coe.int/thematic-report-on-legal-gender-recognition-in-europe-2022/1680a729b3 |publisher=Council of Europe |access-date=22 November 2022 |date=June 2022}} In France and Greece, court permission is required.

In 2014, Amnesty International reported that "many transgender people in Europe continue to struggle to have their gender legally recognised" and advocated that transgender individuals "should be able to obtain legal gender recognition through quick, accessible and transparent procedures and in accordance with their own perceptions of gender identity."{{cite web |title=The State Decides Who I Am: Lack of Legal Gender Recognition for Transgender People in Europe |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/eur010012014en.pdf |publisher=Amnesty International |date=2014}}

In 2017, the Belgian federal parliament passed a law enabling individuals to change their legal gender through a statutory declaration, without requiring medical intervention.{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.be/infos/actualites/article/nouvelle-loi-transgenre-une-grand-pas-pour-les-droits-humains|title=Nouvelle loi transgenre : un grand pas pour les droits humains|date=24 May 2017|website=Amnesty International Belgique|language=fr}} The process involves signing a statutory declaration before a civil officer, followed by a three-month waiting period, after which a second statutory declaration is required to confirm the change.{{cite web|url=https://justice.belgium.be/fr/themes_et_dossiers/personnes_et_familles/transgenres|title=Nouvelle réglementation pour les personnes transgenres|website=justice.belgium.be|language=fr}}

In 2019, a bill was drafted to allow transgender individuals to change their legal sex. The proposed legislation would grant transgender people over the age of 18 the right to change their legal gender based on self-determination, without requiring medical intervention.{{cite web|url=https://24h.com.cy/2019/06/egklovismenoi-se-lathos-soma/|title=Εγκλωβισμένοι σε λάθος σώμα|work=24.com.cy|date=22 June 2019|language=el|access-date=5 November 2021|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626150429/https://24h.com.cy/2019/06/egklovismenoi-se-lathos-soma/|url-status=dead}} {{As of|2021|10|post=,}} the bill was still in draft status.{{cite news|url=https://cyprus-mail.com/2021/10/15/final-touches-being-put-to-gender-identity-bill-cyprus-lagging-behind-other-coe-states/|title=Final touches being put to gender identity bill, Cyprus lagging behind other CoE states|last=Savva|first=Anna|date=October 15, 2021|work=Cyprus Mail}}{{cite web|url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/sogi/newsroom/-/asset_publisher/7fKFZd7F4Hud/content/legal-gender-recognition-in-cyprus-15-october|title=Roundtable on Legal gender recognition in Cyprus – 15 October|date=15 October 2021|website=Council of Europe}}

In June 2014, the Danish Parliament voted 59–52 to remove the requirement for a mental disorder diagnosis and surgery with irreversible sterilization for legal gender changes.{{cite web |date=June 12, 2014 |title=Denmark becomes Europe's leading country on legal gender recognition |url=http://www.lgbt-ep.eu/press-releases/denmark-becomes-europes-leading-country-on-legal-gender-recognition/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212093918/http://www.lgbt-ep.eu/press-releases/denmark-becomes-europes-leading-country-on-legal-gender-recognition/ |archive-date=12 February 2015 |access-date=2015-04-10 |publisher=The European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBTI Rights}} Since 1 September 2014, Danes aged 18 or older can apply for a legal gender change by stating their intent, followed by a six-month "reflection period" to confirm the request.{{citation |title=World must follow Denmark's example after landmark transgender law |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/en/news/denmark-transgender-law-2014-06-12 |access-date=2016-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829002605/http://www.amnesty.org/en/en/news/denmark-transgender-law-2014-06-12 |archive-date=2014-08-29}}{{cite web |last=Vestager |first=Margrethe |date=9 January 2017 |title=L 182 Forslag til lov om ændring af lov om Det Centrale Personregister. |url=https://www.ft.dk/samling/20131/lovforslag/l182/99/367/afstemning.htm |website=Folketinget |language=da}}

In 2021, a Finnish citizen's initiative to base legal gender recognition on self-determination gathered 50,000 signatures and was referred to the Finnish Parliament's Committee on Social Affairs and Health.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=17 November 2021 |title=Citizens' initiative calling for trans law reform moves to parliamentary committee |url=https://yle.fi/news/3-12186483 |access-date=18 November 2021 |work=Yle}} Prime Minister Sanna Marin had previously expressed support for self-determination.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Matilda |date=25 November 2020 |title=Finland's feminist prime minister Sanna Marin comes out swinging for trans people's right to self-identify |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/11/25/finland-prime-minister-sanna-marin-trans-act-rights-self-id-equality-programme/ |access-date=18 November 2021 |work=PinkNews}} On 1 February 2023, Finland's Parliament approved gender self-identification by a vote of 113–69.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=1 February 2023 |title=Parliament passes long-awaited amendments to Finland's transgender law |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20015866 |access-date=21 February 2023 |work=Yle}}

In June 2021, Germany's parliament rejected two self-identification bills. One of the bills proposed allowing gender-affirming for children starting at age 14 regardless of parental objection and included a €2,500 fine for misgendering.

Following the 2021 German federal election, the Scholz cabinet announced plans to introduce legal gender recognition via self-declaration.{{Cite news |date=24 November 2020 |title=Germany plans cultural revolution on immigration, youth and gender |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-plans-cultural-revolution-immigration-youth-gender-2021-11-24/ |access-date=24 November 2021 |publisher=Reuters }} The government formally proposed a self-determination bill in June 2022.{{cite web|date=30 June 2022|title=Germany unveils plans for simpler legal gender change process|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-unveils-plans-for-simpler-legal-gender-change-process/a-62315345|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=27 July 2022|work=DW}}.

In April 2024, Germany's parliament passed the Selbstbestimmungsgesetz, permitting German citizens to change their gender on government documents through self-declaration. The law, which took effect in November 2024, allows individuals aged 16 to 18 to change their gender on documents with parental involvement. For individuals under 16, parents can initiate the change on behalf of their child.{{cite web|date=12 April 2024|title=Bestätigter Gesetzesentwurf zum Selbstbestimmungsgesetz|url=https://dserver.bundestag.de/btd/20/090/2009049.pdf|author-last=|author-first=|access-date=12 April 2024}}.

In 2019, Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir proposed a bill for gender recognition via statutory declaration. The Althing passed the bill by a vote of 45–0, with three abstentions.{{cite web |last=Elliott |first=Alexander |date=19 June 2019 |title=New law to help trans and intersex people |url=https://www.ruv.is/frett/new-law-to-help-trans-and-intersex-people |access-date=26 October 2021 |publisher=RÚV.is}}{{cite web |last=Fisher |first=Owl |date=21 June 2019 |title=On trans issues, Iceland has just put Britain to shame |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jun/21/trans-issues-britain-iceland-law-intersex-rights |access-date=26 October 2021 |work=The Guardian}}

On 15 July 2015, the {{lang|ga|Oireachtas|italic=no}} passed the Gender Recognition Act 2015, allowing Irish citizens to change their gender on government documents through self-determination. The law does not require medical intervention or state assessment."{{cite web |title=Ireland passes bill allowing gender marker changes on legal documents |url=http://www.glaad.org/blog/ireland-passes-bill-allowing-gender-marker-changes-legal-documents |first=Jessica |last=Hofflich |publisher=GLAAD |date=20 July 2015 |access-date=12 September 2015 |archive-date=10 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910211424/http://www.glaad.org/blog/ireland-passes-bill-allowing-gender-marker-changes-legal-documents |url-status=dead }} Individuals aged 18 or older who are ordinarily resident in Ireland or registered in Irish birth or adoption registers can make these changes. For individuals aged 16 to 18, a court order is required to exempt them from the minimum age requirement.{{cite web |title=Gender Recognition Certificate |url=https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/GRC1.aspx |publisher=Department of Social Protection |date=22 April 2021 |access-date=13 November 2015 }}

In late January 2018, over 1,000 Irish feminists, including groups such as the University College Dublin Centre of Gender, Feminisms & Sexualities, signed an open letter condemning a planned meeting in Ireland on UK Gender Recognition Act reforms organized by a British group opposed to the reforms.{{cite news |url=https://gcn.ie/ireland-says-no-to-terfs/ |title=Ireland Says No To TERFs |first=Katie |last=Donohoe |work=Gay Community News |date=24 January 2018 |access-date=26 October 2021 }} The letter stated that "Trans people and particularly trans women are an inextricable part of our feminist community" and accused the British group of colonialism.{{cite web |url=https://www.irishcentral.com/news/irish-feminists-warn-away-british-terfs |title="Stay away from Ireland," British anti-trans feminists told |first=James |last=Wilson |work=IrishCentral |date=23 January 2018 |access-date=26 October 2021 }}

Under the Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act (Maltese: Att dwar l-Identità tal-Ġeneru, l-Espressjoni tal-Ġeneru u l-Karatteristiċi tas-Sess), enacted in April 2015, applicants can change their official documents by filing an affidavit with a notary. The law eliminates any requirement for medical gender reassignment procedures.{{cite web |title=Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act |url=https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/101028/121558/F344926174/MLT101028%202016.pdf |access-date=16 November 2022 |date=2015}}

On 18 March 2016, Norway's Solberg Government introduced the Gender Recognition Act, which allows individuals aged 16 or older to legally change their gender without psychiatric or psychological evaluation, diagnosis, or medical intervention. Minors aged 6–16 can transition with parental consent.{{cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/norway-set-allow-gender-change-without-medical-intervention-192109696.html|title=Norway set to allow gender change without medical intervention|date=March 18, 2016|website=Yahoo! News}}{{cite web|url=https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/easier-to-change-legal-gender/id2480677/|title=Easier to change legal gender|first=Ministry of Health and Care|last=Services|date=18 March 2016|website=Government.no}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stortinget.no/no/Saker-og-publikasjoner/Saker/Sak/?p=64488|title=Lov om endring av juridisk kjønn|date=29 March 2016|website=Stortinget|language=no}} The bill passed Parliament on 6 June by a vote of 79–13.{{cite news|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2016/06/06/norway-now-allows-trans-people-to-decide-their-own-gender/|title=Norway now allows trans people to decide their own gender|last=Mitchell|first=Bea|date=6 June 2016|work=PinkNews}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/norway-becomes-fourth-country-world-allow-trans-people-determine-gender/|title=Norway becomes fourth country in the world to allow trans people to determine their own gender|first=Joe|last=Morgan|date=6 June 2016|website=Gay Star News|access-date=28 October 2021|archive-date=30 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830113258/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/norway-becomes-fourth-country-world-allow-trans-people-determine-gender/|url-status=dead}} It was promulgated on 17 June and took effect on 1 July 2016.{{cite web|url=https://lovdata.no/dokument/LTI/lov/2016-06-17-46|title=Lov om endring av juridisk kjønn|website=Lovdata|language=no}} The act was praised as a milestone for LGBTIQ+ rights by the Norwegian Organisation for Sexual and Gender Diversity, Amnesty International{{cite web |title=Historisk lov vedtatt |url=https://amnesty.no/historisk-lov-vedtatt |access-date=19 September 2022 |publisher=Amnesty International}} and by the feminist movement, notably by the Norwegian Association for Women's Rights.{{cite web |title=Norsk Kvinnesaksforening |url=http://www.kvinnelobby.no/medlemsorganisasjoner/norsk-kvinnesaksforening/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911194238/http://www.kvinnelobby.no/medlemsorganisasjoner/norsk-kvinnesaksforening/ |archivedate=2022-09-11 |access-date=2022-09-11}}

In May 2016, the Left Bloc introduced a bill to allow legal gender change solely based on self-determination.{{cite web|url=https://www.parlamento.pt/ActividadeParlamentar/Paginas/DetalheIniciativa.aspx?BID=40397|title=DetalheIniciativa|website=www.parlamento.pt}}{{cite web|url=https://www.publico.pt/2016/05/25/sociedade/noticia/be-apresenta-projecto-de-lei-para-permitir-mudanca-de-sexo-aos-16-anos-1732965|title=BE apresenta projecto de lei para permitir mudança de sexo aos 16 anos|first=Sofia|last=Rodrigues|website=PÚBLICO|date=25 May 2016 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.jn.pt/nacional/be-quer-permitir-mudanca-de-sexo-aos-16-anos-5192568.html|title=BE quer permitir mudança de sexo aos 16 anos|last=Cruz|first=Hermana|date=May 25, 2016|website=Jornal de Notícias|language=pt}} Similar bills were introduced by the People–Animals–Nature party and the Costa Government in November 2016 and May 2017, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.parlamento.pt/ActividadeParlamentar/Paginas/DetalheIniciativa.aspx?BID=40691|title=DetalheIniciativa|website=www.parlamento.pt}}{{cite web|url=https://www.parlamento.pt/ActividadeParlamentar/Paginas/DetalheIniciativa.aspx?BID=41320|title=DetalheIniciativa|website=www.parlamento.pt}} They were merged into one measure by a parliamentary committee and subsequently approved by the Parliament on 13 April 2018.{{cite news |title=Portugal's parliament approves new legal gender change law |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-43740417 |work=BBC News |date=13 April 2018 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/parliament-approves-change-of-gender-on-official-id-from-age-16/45314|title=Parliament approves change of gender on official ID from age 16|website=www.theportugalnews.com}}

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa vetoed the bill.{{cite web|url=https://www.ilga-europe.org/resources/news/latest-news/veto-portugal-can-still-be-innovators|title=Portugal can still be legislative innovators on LGBTI equality – don't stop now!|website=ILGA-Europe|date=10 May 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.presidencia.pt/?idc=10&idi=147430&idl=2|title=Presidente da República solicita à Assembleia na República que, no decreto sobre identidade de género, preveja relatório médico quando se trate de menores|website=www.presidencia.pt|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712153707/http://www.presidencia.pt/?idc=10&idi=147430&idl=2|archive-date=July 12, 2018}} Later in 2018, adopted a revised version of the bill, incorporating changes suggested by the President regarding gender changes for minors aged 16 and 17, as suggested by the President.{{cite web|url=https://www.esquerda.net/artigo/parlamento-volta-aprovar-autodeterminacao-da-identidade-de-genero/56142|title=Parlamento volta a aprovar autodeterminação da identidade de género|website=Esquerda}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jornaldenegocios.pt/economia/politica/detalhe/parlamento-aprova-lei-da-autodeterminacao-da-identidade-de-genero|title=Parlamento aprova lei da autodeterminação da identidade de género|website=www.jornaldenegocios.pt}} President Rebelo de Sousa signed the amended bill on 31 July 2018.{{cite web|url=https://observador.pt/2018/07/31/presidente-da-republica-promulga-lei-da-autodeterminacao-da-identidade-de-genero/|title=Presidente da República promulga lei da autodeterminação da identidade de género|first=Agência|last=Lusa|website=Observador}}{{cite web|url=https://www.publico.pt/2018/07/31/politica/noticia/marcelo-promulga-lei-da-uber-e-alteracao-a-lei-da-identidade-de-genero-1839695|title=Marcelo promulga lei da Uber e alteração à lei da identidade de género|first=Liliana|last=Valente|website=PÚBLICO|date=31 July 2018 }}

It was published as Act No. 38/2018 in the official journal on 7 August 2018 and took effect the next day on 8 August.{{cite web|url=https://ionline.sapo.pt/artigo/621669/lei-da-autodeterminacao-da-identidade-de-genero-entra-em-vigor-amanha?seccao=Portugal|title=Lei da autodeterminação da identidade de género entra em vigor amanhã|first=Beatriz|last=Martinho|website=ionline|date=7 August 2018 |language=pt}}{{Cite journal |doi = 10.1093/sp/jxab015|title = Debating the Law of Self-Determination of Gender Identity in Portugal: Composition and Dynamics of Advocacy Coalitions of Political and Civil Society Actors in the Discussion of Morality Issues|year = 2021|last1 = Mota|first1 = Luís F.|last2 = Fernandes|first2 = Bruna|journal = Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State & Society| volume=29 | pages=50–70 }}{{Cite web |title=Act No. 38/2018 |url=https://dre.pt/dre/en/detail/act/38-2018-115933863 |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Diário da República}}

Spain passed gender self-identification in February 2023, via the {{lang|es|Ley Trans}} passed by the Congress of Deputies.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-16 |title=Victory in Fight for Gender Recognition in Spain |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/02/16/victory-fight-gender-recognition-spain-0 |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}} The draft had been in the making since 2021.

The law sets a minimum age of 14 for legal gender recognition, with parental approval required for those aged 14 to 16. A previous bill giving children total freedom of legal gender recognition had been rejected in May.

Some LGBTQ+ campaigners criticized the new bill for its age restrictions and the lack of provisions for non-Spanish residents and non-binary identities. A collective of around 50 gender-critical feminist groups opposed the bill.

In 2015, the Löfven Government introduced a bill allowing legal gender changes without psychiatric or psychological evaluation or diagnosis, and without medical intervention.{{cite web |date=10 February 2015 |title=Swedish law proposals on legal gender recognition and gender reassignment treatment |url=https://www.ilga-europe.org/resources/news/latest-news/swedish-law-proposals-legal-gender-recognition-and-gender-reassignment |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119231729/https://www.ilga-europe.org/resources/news/latest-news/swedish-law-proposals-legal-gender-recognition-and-gender-reassignment |archive-date=19 January 2022 |access-date=28 October 2021 |website=ILGA-Europe}} The bill stagnated in early drafts for several years.{{cite web |date=10 August 2020 |title=RFSL and RFSU meet social minister Lena Hallengren |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP3q4wpPe4I&ab_channel=StockholmPride |website=youtube}} In November 2021, the Swedish government announced that it had prepared a new draft bill that would implement self-determination by 2024.{{Cite web |last=Thorén |first=Mathilda |date=10 November 2021 |title=Ändring av juridiskt kön kan bli möjlig från 12 år – "Vi har väntat länge" |url=https://www.qx.se/samhalle/219595/andring-av-juridiskt-kon-kan-bli-mojlig-fran-12-ar-vi-har-vantat-lange/ |access-date=18 November 2021 |work=QX |language=sv}}{{Cite news |last=Koch-Emmery |first=Linn |date=14 November 2021 |title=Riksdagsstöd för att sänka åldern för ändring av juridiskt kön |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/partierna-reagerar-pa-lagforslaget |access-date=18 November 2021 |work=SVT |language=sv}} A 2021 study by Sifo and commissioned by RFSL found that 61% of Swedes supported moving to a system of self-declaration.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=14 November 2021 |title=Svenskarna positiva till ny lag om könstillhörighet |url=https://www.rfsl.se/aktuellt/sifo-konstillhorighetslag/ |access-date=18 November 2021 |work=RFSL |language=sv}}

A Fokus Novus poll showed low overall support, with 15% in favor.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=26 December 2021 |title=Fokus Novus: Svagt stöd för juridiskt könsbyte |url=https://www.fokus.se/inrikes/fokus-novus-svagt-stod-for-juridiskt-konsbyte/ |access-date=16 January 2022 |work=Fokus Novus |language=sv}}

In May 2018, the Swiss Federal Council proposed an amendment to allow transgender individuals to change their registered gender and first name(s) without "red tape", requiring only a declaration to civil status registry officials.{{cite web |url=https://www.admin.ch/ch/f/gg/pc/documents/2958/Changement-de-sexe-a-l-etat-civil_Rapport-expl_fr.pdf |title=Rapport explicatif relatif à l'avant-projet concernant la révision du Code civil suisse (changement de sexe à l'état civil) |trans-title=Explanatory report relating to the preliminary draft concerning the revision of the Swiss Civil Code (change of sex in civil status) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715035925/https://www.admin.ch/ch/f/gg/pc/documents/2958/Changement-de-sexe-a-l-etat-civil_Rapport-expl_fr.pdf |archive-date=15 July 2018 |url-status=dead |language=fr }}

In late 2020, the Swiss Parliament passed the bill, permitting individuals aged 16 and older to obtain legal gender recognition through self-declaration. The law took effect on 1 January 2022{{cite web |url=https://tgeu.org/swiss-parliament-passes-lgr-based-on-self-determination/ |title=Swiss Parliament passes LGR based on self-determination |date=18 December 2020 |website=Transgender Europe }}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/switzerland-gender-transition-europe-legal-b1982504.html |title=Switzerland to allow people to legally change gender through self-identification from 2022 |first=Holly |last=Bancroft |work=The Independent |date=26 December 2021 |access-date=26 December 2021 }} and was enacted through a modification of the Swiss Civil Code.{{Cite web |title=Die Menschenrechte von trans Personen in der Schweiz - humanrights.ch |url=https://www.humanrights.ch/de/ipf/menschenrechte/lgbtiq/menschenrechte-trans-personen-schweiz |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=www.humanrights.ch |language=de}}{{Cite web |title=Fedlex |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/24/233_245_233/en#art_30_b |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=www.fedlex.admin.ch}} The legislation does not provide for changes to a nonbinary gender.{{Cite web |title=Débureaucratisation de la procédure de changement de sexe à l'état civil dès le 1er janvier 2022 |url=https://www.admin.ch/gov/fr/accueil/documentation/communiques.msg-id-85588.html |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=www.admin.ch}}

In Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland),{{cite web |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/217 |title=Equality Act 2010, section 217 |publisher=legislation.gov.uk |date=8 April 2010 |access-date=26 October 2021 }} the Equality Act 2010 provides protection from discrimination under the protected characteristic of "gender reassignment." This protection covers individuals at any stage of the transition process, from proposing to reassign their gender to undergoing or completing the process. However, this is not equivalent to gender self-identification, and the Act permits providers of sex-segregated services to exclude transgender individuals on a case-by-case basis if it constitutes "a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim."{{cite web |url=https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/gender-reassignment-discrimination#act |title=What the Equality Act says about gender reassignment discrimination |publisher=Equality and Human Rights Commission |date=15 May 2019 |access-date=26 October 2021 }}{{cite web |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8969/ |title=Research Briefing: Gender recognition and the rights of transgender people |first1=Catherine |last1=Fairbairn |author2=Douglas Pyper |author3=Manjit Gheera |author4=Philip Loft |publisher=House of Commons Library |date=16 July 2020 |access-date=26 October 2021 }}

In 2016, the House of Commons' Women and Equalities Committee issued a report recommending that the Gender Recognition Act 2004 be updated "in line with the principles of gender self-declaration".{{cite report|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmselect/cmwomeq/390/39010.htm#_idTextAnchor213|title=Transgender Equality|last1=Women and Equalities Committee|date=8 January 2016|publisher=House of Commons|quote=Within the current Parliament, the Government must bring forward proposals to update the Gender Recognition Act, in line with the principles of gender self-declaration that have been developed in other jurisdictions. In place of the present medicalised, quasi-judicial application process, an administrative process must be developed, centred on the wishes of the individual applicant, rather than on intensive analysis by doctors and lawyers.|access-date=1 November 2021}} Later in 2016, in England and Wales, proposal was developed under Theresa May's government to revise the Act to introduce self-identification. The proposal was dropped in 2020 after opposition. Instead, Boris Johnson's government reduced the application fee for a Gender Recognition Certificate to £5 and moved the application process online.

In 2018, a YouGov poll for PinkNews found that 18% of respondents across the UK supported self-identification, 58% believed medical approval was necessary, and the remainder were undecided.{{Cite news|last=Gordon|first=Tom|date=3 July 2018|title=Poll finds people oppose self-declared gender by 3-to-1|work=The Herald (Glasgow)|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16328719.poll-finds-people-oppose-self-declared-gender-3-to-1/|access-date=17 December 2021}}

A 2018 government consultation on Gender Recognition Act reform received 102,833 submissions. Of these, 39% were submitted via an online form set up by Stonewall, 18% via a form by the gender-critical group Fair Play for Women, and 7% via a form by feminist organization Level Up,. The consultation showed that 64% supported removing the requirement for a gender dysphoria diagnosis, 80% favored eliminating the need for a medical report, and 77% supported removing the requirement to evidence living "in their acquired gender" for a set period.{{cite web|last1=King|first1=Daniel|author2=Carrie Paechter|author3=Maranda Ridgway|date=22 September 2020|title=Reform of the Gender Recognition Act — Analysis of consultation responses|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/response-to-the-gender-recognition-act-2004-consultation|access-date=21 October 2021|publisher=His Majesty's Stationery Office|pages=8–9|id=CP 294}}

In 2020, Human Rights Watch urged the British government to allow self-identification and include recognition of transgender and non-binary individuals.{{cite web|date=June 17, 2020|title=Letter to UK Prime Minister on Gender Recognition Reform|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/17/letter-uk-prime-minister-gender-recognition-reform}}{{cite news|last=Parsons|first=Vic|date=18 June 2020|title=Boris Johnson warned 'regressive' anti-trans plans would put vulnerable trans women at risk of violence|work=PinkNews|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2020/06/18/transgender-rights-uk-boris-johnson-single-sex-spaces-human-rights-watch/|access-date=19 December 2021}} In March 2021, the Welsh government's Independent LGBTQ+ Expert Panel also called for reform based on self-determination principles.{{cite web|url=https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations/2021-07/recommendations-of-the-independent-lgbtq%2B-expert-panel_0.pdf|title=A report to Welsh Government outlining recommendations for furthering LGBTQ+ equality in Wales|date=March 2021|website=gov.wales}} Later that year, the Welsh government advocated for the devolution of powers related to the Act to enable legislative reforms within Wales.{{cite web|url=https://gov.wales/the-welsh-government-announces-new-support-package-pride-part-ambitious-plans-make-wales-most-lgbtq|title=The Welsh Government announces new support package for Pride as part of ambitious plans to make Wales the most LGBTQ+ friendly nation Europe|website=GOV.WALES|date=28 June 2021 }}

On 22 December 2022, the Scottish Parliament passed the Gender Recognition Reform Bill by a vote of 86 to 39. The bill proposed allowing self-identification for a Gender Recognition Certificate and extending the process to individuals aged 16 and 17. {{Cite news |last=Brooks |first=Libby |date=22 December 2022 |title=Scottish government hails 'historic day' as MSPs pass gender recognition bill |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/dec/22/scotland-passes-bill-making-it-easier-for-people-to-legally-change-gender |access-date=22 December 2022 }} On 17 January 2023, the United Kingdom government used section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 to block the bill from receiving royal assent, the first time section 35 has been used.{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Peter |title=UK government formally blocks Scotland's gender recognition law|date=17 January 2023 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/17/uk-government-formally-blocks-scotlands-gender-recognition-legislation |work=The Guardian |access-date=17 January 2023}} After the Scottish Parliament vote, Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, expressed a desire for a similar reform of gender-recognition law in Wales and the legislative competence for the Senedd to enact it;{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-64228256 |title=Mark Drakeford backs Scottish gender recognition move | work=BBC News Online |date=10 January 2023 |access-date=17 January 2023 }} he described Westminster's section 35 order as a "very dangerous precedent" for devolution.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-64304540 |title=Gender reform: Drakeford says Scottish law block is dangerous precedent | work=BBC News Online |date=17 January 2023 |access-date=17 January 2023 }}

In Australia, Tasmania implemented self-declaration in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-04/gender-birth-certificate-tasmania-upper-house/10972020|title=Tasmania's transgender community celebrates legislation milestone|newspaper=ABC News |date=April 4, 2019|via=www.abc.net.au}} In 2020, the Tasmania Law Reform Institute completed an investigation of the law's impact that "uncovered no evidence that allowing people to change their officially recorded gender would have any unforeseen legal consequences."{{cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/all-colours-of-the-rainbow-why-tasmanias-new-gender-identity-laws-are-warranted-131664|title=All colours of the rainbow: why Tasmania's new gender identity laws are warranted|first=Brendan|last=Gogarty|website=The Conversation|date=21 June 2020 }} Later in 2019, the Parliament of Victoria introduced a law that abolished the sex reassignment surgery requirement for legal gender change and allows applicants to self-nominate the sex listed on their birth registration as male, female, or any other gender diverse or non-binary descriptor of their choice.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-18/vic-transgender-laws-make-it-easier-to-change-birth-certificate/11220342|title=Victorians set to win right to choose gender on birth certificates|newspaper=ABC News |date=June 18, 2019|via=www.abc.net.au}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/aug/15/bill-to-allow-transgender-people-change-birth-certificate-without-surgery-clears-first-hurdle-in-victoria|title=Bill to allow transgender people to change birth certificate without surgery clears first hurdle in Victoria|date=August 15, 2019|website=the Guardian}}

In New Zealand, gender markers on passports and drivers licences have worked on a self-declaration basis since 2012. In November 2017, the New Zealand Parliament introduced the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Bill to allow people to change the sex on their birth certificates on a self-declaration basis as well.{{cite web |title=Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Bill |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/bills-and-laws/bills-proposed-laws/document/BILL_74854/births-deaths-marriages-and-relationships-registration |publisher=New Zealand Parliament |access-date=22 August 2021}} The bill passed its first reading in December 2017 and passed its second reading in August 2021.{{cite web |title=Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Bill — First Reading |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20171205_20171205_24 |publisher=New Zealand Parliament |access-date=21 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921121003/https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/combined/HansDeb_20171205_20171205_24 |archive-date=21 September 2021 |date=5 December 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Phil |title=Births, deaths, and genders: a quiet bill goes loud |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-house/audio/2018807955/births-deaths-and-genders-a-quiet-bill-goes-loud |access-date=22 August 2021 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=12 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818094259/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-house/audio/2018807955/births-deaths-and-genders-a-quiet-bill-goes-loud |archive-date=18 August 2021|url-status=live}} The bill was unanimously approved by Parliament on its third reading and went into effect in 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/127239124/parliament-unanimously-passes-sex-selfidentification-law-simplifying-changes-to-birth-certificates|title=Parliament unanimously passes sex self-identification law, simplifying changes to birth certificates|last=Manch|first=Thomas|date=9 December 2021|website=Stuff}} The Human Rights Commission has supported the bill, stating that it would "ultimately help reduce discrimination."{{cite news |title=Birth certificate changes welcomed by takatāpui, trans and non-binary people |url=https://www.hrc.co.nz/news/birth-certificate-changes-welcomed-takatapui-trans-and-non-binary-people/ |access-date=31 August 2021 |work=Human Rights Commission |date=10 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502213805/https://www.hrc.co.nz/news/birth-certificate-changes-welcomed-takatapui-trans-and-non-binary-people/ |archive-date=2 May 2021|url-status=live}} The bill has also been supported by the Māori Women's Welfare League and the National Council of Women of New Zealand.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/explained/300422022/explainer-the-decadeslong-battle-for-gender-selfidentification|title=Explainer: The decades-long battle for gender self-identification|last=Mitchell|first=Charlie|date=November 6, 2021|website=Stuff}}

A 2019 paper in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reported that legal gender recognition frameworks based on medicalization can have negative effects on transgender and intersex individuals.{{Cite journal|title=Gender Identity: The Human Right of Depathologization|first1=Maria Elisa|last1=Castro-Peraza|first2=Jesús Manuel|last2=García-Acosta|first3=Naira|last3=Delgado|first4=Ana María|last4=Perdomo-Hernández|first5=Maria Inmaculada|last5=Sosa-Alvarez|first6=Rosa|last6=Llabrés-Solé|first7=Nieves Doria|last7=Lorenzo-Rocha|date=January 15, 2019|journal=International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health|volume=16|issue=6|page=978|doi=10.3390/ijerph16060978|pmid=30889934|pmc=6466167|doi-access=free}} A 2018 study in BMC International Health and Human Rights stated that in countries where transgender people are denied legal recognition of their gender identity, this often leads to further human rights violations, impacting access to education, employment, healthcare, social security, and legal protection. The study also noted that many countries permitting gender marker changes impose abusive requirements, such as forced or involuntary surgery, medical diagnoses, and lengthy, costly judicial procedures. A 2017 study in Critical Social Policy reported that legal requirements based on trans-related diagnoses may inadvertently reintroduce surgical and hormonal practices as prerequisites, acting as gatekeepers to healthcare services and citizenship rights.{{cite journal |last1=Davy |first1=Zowie |last2=Sørlie |first2=Anniken |last3=Schwend |first3=Amets Suess |title=Democratising diagnoses? The role of the depathologisation perspective in constructing corporeal trans citizenship |journal=Critical Social Policy |date=February 2018 |volume=38 |issue=1 |pages=13–34 |doi=10.1177/0261018317731716 |hdl=10852/60783 |s2cid=149135054 |url=https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/bitstream/2086/15101/3/TGPP%206%20%20%202017-08-22%20Final%20Democratising%20Diagnoses.pdf |hdl-access=free }}

Sex/gender self-determination has entered the international public consciousness due to media commentary, governmental debates, and rapid legal and policy changes regarding trans and intersex individuals in law and medicine.Davy, Z. (2021). Sex/Gender and Self-Determination: Policy developments in Law, Health and Pedagogical Contexts. Bristol: Policy Press

A 2020 study from the University of Bristol found that allowing legal gender changes without requiring medical diagnosis or treatment could significantly improve the experience of older transgender individuals transitioning later in life.{{cite web |url=https://policystudies.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2020/07/10/the-importance-of-self-identification-for-trans-older-adults-in-the-uk/ |title=The importance of self-identification for trans older adults in the UK – Comment and analysis |website=policystudies.blogs.bristol.ac.uk}} A 2021 study in Labour Economics demonstrated that the removal of surgical requirements for legal gender recognition is associated with a 9–20% increase in the employment rate for female-to-male transgender individuals.{{cite journal |last1=Mann |first1=Samuel |title=Transgender employment and gender marker laws |journal=Labour Economics |date=December 2021 |volume=73 |pages=102072 |doi=10.1016/j.labeco.2021.102072 |s2cid=239245005 }}

Research has also highlighted that self-identification laws alone may not address all issues faced by transgender people, especially if such laws maintain binary gender frameworks or lack accompanying reforms in areas like healthcare.{{cite journal |last1=hartline |first1=france rose |title=Examining Trans Narratives in the Wake of Norway's Gender Recognition Law |journal=A/B |date=2 January 2019 |volume=34 |issue=1 |pages=67–87 |doi=10.1080/08989575.2019.1542822 |s2cid=220315222}}{{cite journal |last1=Alm |first1=Erika |last2=Engebretsen |first2=Elisabeth L. |title=Gender Self-identification |journal=Lambda Nordica |date=15 June 2020 |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=48–56 |doi=10.34041/ln.v25.613 |s2cid=225712334 |doi-access=free |hdl=11250/3048285 |hdl-access=free}}{{cite journal |last1=Cannoot |first1=Pieter |title='#WontBeErased': The effects of (de)pathologisation and (de)medicalisation on the legal capacity of trans* persons |journal=International Journal of Law and Psychiatry |date=September 2019 |volume=66 |page=101478 |doi=10.1016/j.ijlp.2019.101478 |pmid=31706402 |s2cid=201975564 }}{{cite journal |last1=Nirta |first1=Caterina |title=A Critique of the Model of Gender Recognition and the Limits of Self-Declaration for Non-Binary Trans Individuals |journal=Law and Critique |date=July 2021 |volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=217–233 |doi=10.1007/s10978-021-09286-y |s2cid=226790423 |doi-access=free }} A 2018 analysis by Chris Dietz of the University of Leeds on Denmark’s legal gender recognition system noted that recognition may be practically inaccessible without corresponding healthcare provisions. Positivity around Denmark's law was mitigated by reforms centralizing transgender healthcare under the Sexological Clinic at Copenhagen’s National Hospital, effectively creating a monopoly on treatment authorization.{{cite journal |last1=Dietz |first1=Chris |title=Governing Legal Embodiment: On the Limits of Self-Declaration |journal=Feminist Legal Studies |date=July 2018 |volume=26 |issue=2 |pages=185–204 |doi=10.1007/s10691-018-9373-4 |s2cid=56458682 |url=http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/130430/13/Dietz2018_Article_GoverningLegalEmbodimentOnTheL.pdf }}

Legal gender recognition laws based on self-declaration may also fail to guarantee universal access to proper identity documentation. A 2014 study on Argentina’s law found that uptake of new IDs was uneven, with foreign-born status significantly correlating with lower access.{{Cite journal |pmc=4136870 |year=2014 |last1=Socías |first1=M. E. |last2=Marshall |first2=B. D. |last3=Arístegui |first3=I. |last4=Zalazar |first4=V. |last5=Romero |first5=M. |last6=Sued |first6=O. |last7=Kerr |first7=T. |title=Towards Full Citizenship: Correlates of Engagement with the Gender Identity Law among Transwomen in Argentina |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=9 |issue=8 |pages=e105402 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0105402 |pmid=25133547 |bibcode=2014PLoSO...9j5402S |doi-access=free}} A 2021 paper in the Journal of Human Rights reported that in India, many authorities claim ignorance of legal processes, denying transgender individuals' applications for identity documents due to procedural misunderstandings.{{Cite journal |doi = 10.1080/14754835.2020.1845129|title = Law, gender identity, and the uses of human rights: The paradox of recognition in South Asia|year = 2021|last1 = Jain|first1 = Dipika|last2 = Dasgupta|first2 = Debanuj|journal = Journal of Human Rights|volume = 20|pages = 110–126|s2cid = 231689769}}

A 2020 paper in the Modern Law Review argued that proposed reforms to the UK’s Gender Recognition Act would not erode existing Equality Act 2010 exemptions permitting reliance on sex over gender identity, nor would they significantly increase harm to cisgender women. {{cite journal |last1=Sharpe |first1=Alex |title=Will Gender Self-Declaration Undermine Women's Rights and Lead to an Increase in Harms? |journal=The Modern Law Review |date=May 2020 |volume=83 |issue=3 |pages=539–557 |doi=10.1111/1468-2230.12507 |s2cid=214079382 }} A 2017 paper by Peter Dunne of Trinity College Dublin found no substantial support for claims that trans protections facilitate cisgender predators feigning trans identities to perpetrate assaults in women-only spaces. Instead, such concerns often stem from transphobia and long-standing tropes about transgender individuals as "deviant" or "deceptive."{{cite journal |last1=Dunne |first1=Peter |title=(Trans)Forming Single-Gender Services and Communal Accommodations |journal=Social & Legal Studies |date=October 2017 |volume=26 |issue=5 |pages=537–561 |doi=10.1177/0964663917692027 |hdl=1983/15c4a518-2967-4656-9829-2c578ac9dc60 |s2cid=152264018 |url=https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/ws/files/139271435/Bristol_Pure_Version_PD.pdf }} A 2018 study by the Williams Institute concluded that passing non-discrimination laws based on self-declared gender identity does not correlate with an increase in criminal incidents in public spaces like restrooms and changing rooms, and fears of safety violations stemming from such laws are not supported by empirical evidence.{{cite journal |last1=Hasenbush |first1=Amira |last2=Flores |first2=Andrew R. |last3=Herman |first3=Jody L. |title=Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Laws in Public Accommodations: a Review of Evidence Regarding Safety and Privacy in Public Restrooms, Locker Rooms, and Changing Rooms |journal=Sexuality Research and Social Policy |date=March 2019 |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=70–83 |doi=10.1007/s13178-018-0335-z |s2cid=149893864 |url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4rs4n6h0 }}

• Feminist views on transgender topics
• Legal recognition of non-binary gender
• Legal status of transgender people
• Right to personal identity
• Transgender people in sports

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