Currently, anyone wishing to officially change their sex must first get themselves sterilised and undergo surgery to acquire the physical attributes of the opposite sex. The new Transgender Bill will mean that this will no longer be necessary.

Speaking on VRT Radio 1’s morning news and the Federal Secretary of State responsible for Equal Opportunities Elke Sleurs (Flemish nationalist) said that “This dispenses with the medical issue. It is against their human right to make people get sterilised of have body altering surgery”.

Ms Sleurs added that it is intrusive surgery that deters people from changing their gender identity.