• Quick, transparent and accessible legal gender recognition based on self-determination. In 2015 the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a comprehensive resolution on trans persons’ human rights74, including quick, transparent and accessible legal gender recognition based on identities determined by the persons. This has set the tone for national laws and policies in European Union member countries. Many countries in Latin America and South Asia have introduced similar processes in their respective countries. o o o • Year Quick. The process of changing the details in legal documents should be efficient and timely. In Portugal the process only take 8 days, while in Argentina the process takes up to 2 to 3 weeks to be completed. Transparent and non discretionary. The criteria and checklist for the process is clearly presented. In Argentina, once an application is received, the Civil Register is notified “without any additional legal or administrative procedure required” (Article 6). Accessible. The process must be simple with minimal cost. Confidential. The laws must also include privacy protection for trans people, especially against disclosure of protected information of trans people. The Gender Identity Law Argentina prohibits public disclosure of their recorded sex and change in first name without consent of the applicant. Cases Outcome Nov 2004 Wong Chiou Yong vs NRD (trans man) Application • Case was heard before Ipoh High Court dismissed • Change name & gender on birth certificate and national identification card Nov 2005 JG vs NRD (trans woman) • Case was heard in KL high court before Justice James Foong • Change name & gender on birth certificate and national identification card Successful. Allowed to change name, gender marker, and last digit on IC 2011 Aleesha Farhana vs NRD (trans woman) • Case was heard at the Terengganu High Court before Justice Datuk Mohd Yazid Mustafa Application dismissed all aspects of life. Each person’s self-defined sexual orientation and gender identity is integral to their personality and is one of the most basic aspects of self-determination, dignity and freedom. No one shall be forced to undergo medical procedures, including sex reassignment surgery, sterilisation or hormonal therapy, as a requirement for legal recognition of their gender identity. No status, such as marriage or parenthood, may be invoked as such to prevent the legal recognition of a person’s gender identity. No one shall be subjected to pressure to conceal, suppress or deny their sexual orientation or gender identity. https://yogyakartaprinciples.org/principle-3/ 74 Discrimination against transgender people in Europe https://bit.ly/283pI9I Report On Transgender Persons In KL And Selangor | 29