Selbstbestimmung über das eigene Geschlecht

There are cases in which children and adolescents develop a gender identity that differs from their birth sex. Some of these children even desire a gender reassignment procedure to alter their physical appearance. The decision on medical treatment of transgender minors raises complex legal questions, especially regarding constitutional, family and medical law. In particular, it has been largely undefined so far under which circumstances minors themselves are able to give informed consent to gender reassignment treatment and thereby make an autonomous decision on their gender. In this context, certain issues have to be addressed, such as to what extend guardians have the power to consent on behalf of their child, or what the requirements are for a self-governed decision of the minor even without or against the explicit will of the guardians.