Ireland took a huge step forward legalising same-sex marriage in a nationwide vote earlier this month, and on Wednesday evening the country introduced measures that make it a more progressive place for transgender people as well.
The government announced that self-declarations of gender will be acceptable for updating passports, driving licences, new birth certificates and getting married, according to TheJournal.ie.
"A person who transitions gender will have their preferred gender fully recognised by the State for all purposes -- including the right to marry or enter a civil partnership in the preferred gender and the right to a new birth certificate," Ireland's deputy prime minister Joan Burton said.
The change, which affects people 18 and older, means there won't be any need for supporting statements from doctors as there was in the past. The changes will be made from next month.
“Ireland has now taken its place as an international leader in this human rights area," the Transgender Equality Network of Ireland said in a statement, describing the move as hugely significant.
“The government has shown great vision and conviction in ensuring the rights of trans people. This legislation will significantly improve the lived realities of trans people in Ireland,” said TENI chief executive Broden Giambrone.
Last year, Denmark became the first country in Europe to allow people to legally change their gender without a medical statement. Currently in the UK for a person to change their gender they must be diagnosed with gender dysphoria, have lived with their new gender for two years and apply to the Gender Recognition Panel.