A new report from the Directorate for Children, Youth and Families (Bufdir) was published today. Commissioned by the government, Bufdir has looked at the consequences of introducing a third legal gender category. – We want a society where everyone can live safe, free lives, no matter who they are. We are not there today. It is not tenable that non-binary people have a worse quality of life than the rest of the population, or that they have an unclear legal situation, says Culture and Equality Minister Anette Trettebergstuen (Ap). Poorer living conditions and quality of life The investigation from Bufdir points to five main challenges for non-binary people: Non-binary people have poorer living conditions and quality of life, both compared to the general population and other queer people. Non-binary people are to a greater extent than others exposed to exclusion, discrimination and violence. There is little knowledge about gender diversity in society and in public services. Many are reluctant to use public services. Non-binary people do not have access to gender confirmation treatment. Non-binary lacks legal recognition. It affects the quality of life and living conditions negatively. – Bufdir believes there is a need for more measures from the authorities to improve the situation for non-binary people in Norway, says director of Bufdir, Hege Nilssen. The Minister of Culture (th) was handed the report by Bufdir director Hege Nilssen (left). Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB They propose three different measures, which can be introduced individually or together: Reservation against stating gender in public identification documents. Creating a third legal gender category and reviewing legislation. National guide for recognition of gender identity. – Our assessment is that all the measures are suitable for achieving the goal that non-binary people are treated equally and experience recognition of their gender identity, says Nilssen. According to Bufdir, measure two is the only thing that gives non-binary people full legal recognition. This is also the most comprehensive, both financially and administratively. Estimates from Oslo Economics show that this could cost between NOK 56.5 and 172.8 million. 34 per cent are in favor A majority in the Storting last winter voted no to the introduction of a third legal gender category. SV, Rødt, Venstre and MDG voted for, while the Labor Party, the Conservative Party, the Center Party, Frp, KrF and Patient Focus voted against. There is now tension over how the government will follow up the investigation, and whether they will put forward their own proposal to introduce a third legal gender category. – I am looking forward to starting the report, and will come back to how we are going to follow it up, says Trettebergstuen. A survey carried out by Opinion in March shows that 34 per cent of the population agree that Norway should introduce a third legal gender. 53 percent disagree, while 12 percent are unsure. Third gender The term third gender is used for people who are not considered or consider themselves to be male or female and for the social category that exists in countries that, legally and/or culturally, recognize three or more genders. The term is used in modern times particularly for a legal gender category that has been introduced in addition to male and female in several countries. Many want the category that will be added to woman and man not to be “gendered”, i.e. not referred to as a third gender, but only a third category. This also gives a place to those who reject gender. A third legal gender category has been introduced in European countries such as Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany and Malta. Furthermore, a third legal gender category exists in several Asian countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and in the USA, Canada and Australia. Sources: Det store norske lexikon/Wikipedia
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New investigation from Bufdir recommends third legal gender category – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
