In a newly passed law, Norway has given kids as young as six the right to identify themselves as a member of the opposite sex, and to change their gender on official documents.
This legislation came into effect in Norwegian Parliament in June this year, by a vote score of 79-13. According to a report on Fox News, the law generated almost no controversy when it was introduced.
The procedure involved is simple. Children in the country who meet the age limit need to have parental consent before they fill out an easy form online.According to the Associated Press, once their applications are approved, they receive a new national identification number that unlocks the ability to update all forms of identification, including passports, driver's licenses, birth certificates and credit cards.
The Christian Post reports that ten children have applied to change their gender and the country is yet to have refused any applicant.
Speaking to Christian Post, Robert Lopez, head of the International Children's Rights Institute, revealed that he's against the new law. "It appears very likely that adults are suggesting these ideas to the children."
"So this drastic measure, implemented so flippantly, is entirely inappropriate. It feels like manipulation of children, not a way of showing compassion to them," he said.
Among the children who have taken advantage of this recent legislation is ten year old Anna Thulin-Myge, who revealed in a interview, "In some weeks, I'm going to have a new passport and then it's going to say 'F.' My name will be Anna, and that's going to be great."
She added that her current passport identifies her as a male, which is her birth gender. Anna went on to share, "When I was little I liked to dress up in dresses. And play with dolls, and so I actually think that I was a girl the whole time."
Transgender activists believe that the law does not go far enough. Richard Kohler, Transgender Europe's Senior Policy Officer, believes Norway should scrap the remaining restrictions on official gender changes, and include children younger than 6.
"It shows that there is an underlying belief that trans is bad and problematic. It gives the signal that we don't believe children, and that we need to protect them from gender from an early age," Kohler explained in an interview.