Exactly ten years ago today, on September 1, 2014, the outdated Danish practice for legal gender change was finally replaced – and even with a scheme at the absolute forefront in the world!

Although Danish transgender people have changed their legal gender since the mid-20th century, this could only happen after castration and other surgical procedures. It usually took many years, and the decision ultimately rested with doctors. But from September 1st 2014 adults could finally decide for themselves about their own gender in Denmark.

The new law came after years of debate and activism from e.g. the trans group of LGBT Denmark, the board of the association and many other engaged transgender activists and allies. It was a happy chair of LGBT Denmark, Søren Laursen, who, in a speech at Christiansborg parliament on 11 June 2014, called it a world-class scheme. In 2014, only Argentina and Uruguay could measure up to the Danish system.

Helle Thorning-Schmidt’s SR government chose the most progressive solution proposed at the time, and several ministers in the government helped with its implementation – e.g. Minister for Economic and Interior Affairs Margrethe Vestager, Minister of Justice Karen Hækkerup, Minister for Gender Equality Manu Sareen, and Minister of Health Nick Hækkerup.

The law set the individual free, and the following decade around 2,500 trans people and other citizens have used the opportunity to change their CPR – the Danish social security number that marks your legal gender. A breakthrough for individual autonomy and the possibility of privacy. It is thought-provoking that in other countries these years “self id” (ie self-chosen legal gender) is being discussed as a risky experiment – while we in Denmark since 2014 have found amicable solutions on different levels in society.

In LGBT+ Denmark, we continue to work to remove the six-month review period, but we still think it is worth celebrating, the trust and freedom that Denmark has shown transgender people

Later in the autumn, we will hold a 10-year birthday event.