The number of transsexual requests for the change of Christian name procedure has more than doubled between 2011 (49 approaches) and 2015 (116 such requests). This emerges from the response from the Minister of Justice, Koen Geens, to a written question from Sonja Becq (Flemish Christian Democrats). No request was apparently turned down.
The number of requests to undergo a change forename has constantly increased since 2011. The figure thus went from 49 in 2011 to 85 in 2012 and 2013, 95 in 2014, and 116 in 2015.
Of the total 430 approaches made between 2011 and 2015, 309 were from Dutch speakers and 121 by French-speakers.
Minors may also undergo a change of forename, subject to their parents’ approval. In 2011, 2012 and 2013, one, two and three minors respectively instituted this approach. In 2014 and 2015, the increase is more striking with respectively 13 and 16 such requests.
The law of May 10th, 2007 made it possible for those who are transgender to adopt a more suitable Christian name.
Interested individuals should attach the statements from a psychiatrist and an endocrinologist. It should, in particular, be evident that the individual concerned has followed a course of hormone replacement therapy so as to clearly induce the physical characteristics of the sex which they wish to take on.
(Source: Belga)
