Members of the transgender community in Switzerland may soon be able to change their name and gender without having to navigate the country's court system for approval.
Swiss Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga announced yesterday her plans to make it possible for trans individuals to self-identify - making a "simple declaration" for the civil register.
Switzerland's Federal Council, a seven-member executive group of politicians, said in a statement: “The absence of any clear ruling in law means that transgender individuals continue to face enormous hurdles. They must sue in court to have their change of gender legally recognised."
The Council continued: “Legal practice is inconsistent, and proceedings are found to be unnecessarily protracted and expensive.”
While the news was welcomed by members of the community, change could still be a while off.
A parliamentary debate is expected to follow a period of public comment, which ends September 30th, with possible changes unlikely to be enforced before 2020.
