Trans people in Ireland can now self-declare their gender

In another milestone for the LGBT community in Ireland, president Michael D. Higgins has signed the Gender Recognition Act into law.

This means that trans people aged 18 and over will be able to self-declare their gender identity without the requirement of certification or intervention from a medical practitioner.

“This is an exciting moment in the history of trans rights,” Broden Giambrone, chief executive of Transgender Equality Network Ireland, said in a statement. “The Gender Recognition Act is now law and trans people will now be able to be legally recognised in their true gender.”

Giambrone added, “The government has informed us that the bill will be commenced by the end of the summer. This means that individuals should have their gender legally recognised by the autumn.”

Ireland’s Gender Recognition Act makes it the fifth country in the world – after Argentina, Denmark, Malta and just last month, Colombia – to allow citizens to self-determine their gender without any medical requirements.