Transgender Hongkongers can now apply to amend ID cards without undergoing full sex change procedures
- Revised policy follows landmark ruling from Court of Final Appeal last year in favour of two transgender appellants over invasive surgical procedure requirement
- Authorities say change introduced after ‘prudently considering objective of policy, relevant legal and medical advice’, as well as taking reference from overseas practices
Hongkongers can apply to change the gender markers on their identity cards from Wednesday without undergoing full sex reassignment surgical procedures, as part of revised criteria introduced in response to a landmark court ruling last year.
The government said on Wednesday that the change to requirements was made after “prudently considering the objective of the policy, relevant legal and medical advice, as well as drawing reference from the relevant practices overseas”.
The revised criteria no longer considers the procedure necessary when a resident applies to the commissioner of registration to update their Hong Kong ID cards.
Under the new policy, applicants must have completed certain surgical procedures to modify their sexual characteristics, along with presenting the relevant medical proof and supporting documents.
Applicants must make a statutory declaration to confirm they have gender dysphoria, which refers to the psychological distress a person may experience because of a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity.