“Germans will be penalized for misusing pronouns when choosing between 60 genders. From August 1 it will be possible to receive up to 10 thousand euro fine”– asserted in a post shared on Facebook in the message.
Such a record is not the only one. Recently, many social media users have shared information that the German government has recently passed a law, according to which calling a transgender person by their former name or using LGBTQ+ pronouns incorrectly can result in a fine of up to 10,000 euros. euros.
Photo by Unsplash.com/LGBTQ+ people around the world are increasingly active in defending their rights
“I’m from Germany and today a new law was passed that allows a person to change their gender once a year!” In addition, the wrong use of pronouns can cost up to 10,000 euros.”– wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).
Gender-inappropriate language (English misgendering) – addressing a person or naming a person with pronouns or other words that do not correspond to the person’s gender identity. It can be a malicious act of denying a transgender person’s gender identity, or a non-malicious act of using gender-inconsistent language towards a transgender person because the transgender person is non-disclosed and their gender identity is unknown.
Old news
Indeed, as recently as April this year, the German parliament approved to the lawwhich simplifies the procedure for persons wishing to change their legal gender.
Under the new law, Germans can change their legal gender by submitting a simple request to their local civil registry office without providing a reason or medical information.
Applications for children under 14 years of age can be submitted by parents. Minors over 14 can do it themselves, but only with parental consent.
This legal act replaced the law regulating the status of transsexuals adopted in 1980.
According to it, persons wishing to legally change their gender had to go to court and collect two expert opinions, and the final decision was made by the court.
The new law provides, that there will be no restrictions on how often a person can change their legal gender, but that the new gender identity does not take legal effect until three months later. After that, you are not allowed to change your gender for one year.
The law also provides penalties for individuals who expose a transgender person without their consent.
Unsplash.com photo/Transgender people around the world are fighting for their rights
A penalty for bullying, not a mistake
The law mentions a maximum fine of up to 10,000. euros, but it would not be awarded for the accidental use of the former name of a transgender person or a mistake in the use of pronouns.
In fact, it is intended for malicious disclosure of confidential informationfor example, for revealing a person’s previously assigned gender against their will.
The right to legal recognition of gender and gender identity is recognized as a fundamental human right in Germany.
Also, the laws of the country, taking into account the principle of non-discrimination, provide protection against discrimination and violence based on gender identity.
According to the website of the German Ministry of Family Affairs, a person’s previously assigned gender should not be revealed or publicized without their consent.
The ministry emphasizes that “only intentional behavior is taken into account, as no sanctions are applied for careless actions.”
However, intense bullying of transgender people is already punishable by law because it is considered psychological violence.
15min verdict: missing context. Claims that people will be punished in Germany for accidentally misusing the pronouns of transgender people are exaggerated. Willful and systematic terrorizing of a person, disclosure of sensitive personal data with the aim of harming a person will be punished.
The publication was prepared in 15 minutes in partnership with Metawhich aims to stop the spread of misleading news on the social network. More about the program and its rules – here.
Source: www.15min.lt
