A legal third gender option for official documents could soon be introduced in Sweden, to help improve the lives of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people in the country, .
An inquiry was ordered in October to investigate the ways society’s cisgender and heterosexual norms impact on the TGD community and “identify the barriers in society to trans people's opportunities to live according to their gender identity and, where necessary, propose interventions to remedy any shortcomings".
As well as the introduction of a legal third gender, the inquiry has suggested an increase in the number of gender-neutral public bathrooms and state funding for projects that would create trans-inclusive environments.
The inquiry’s report——has also pointed out that an overhaul of the government’s personal number system is needed. The number currently causes administrative problems (at medical offices, banks etc.) for TGD people who have legally changed their gender.
The suggestions are aimed at improving the mental health statistics of the TGD community in Sweden.
"Young trans people are a group where suicidal tendencies have increased in an especially clear way — we can't have that. We need to make targeted efforts," Minister for Social Affairs Annika Strandhäll.
Countries including Nepal, New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan currently recognise a third gender on official documents.
Last month, a German court ordered the introduction of a third gender on birth certificates to accommodate intersex babies.
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