Beginning on November 1, Germany will begin to allow parents the option of selecting "blank" instead of "male" or "female" on birth certificates to allow more freedom for people to change their genders later on in life.

SpiegelOnline is reporting that the legislative change "allows parents to opt out of determining their baby's gender, thereby allowing those born with characteristics of both sexes to choose whether to become male or female in later life."

The new law will also allow individuals to remain outside the gender binary altogether if they so choose.

The new law makes Germany the first country in Europe to introduce this option and is being heralded by some as a "legal revolution." However, no one yet knows how this new gender specification will affect other documents, such as passports and marriage certificates, where individuals are still required to designate themselves as either male or female.

Even though the new law was passed back in May, it only became public knowledge this month when news of its passage was published in a family law publication known as FamRZ.

The European chapter of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, is happy with the new law, but says Europe isn't moving fast enough on transgender issues.

"Things are moving slower than they should at the European level", says Silvan Agius, policy director for the group. "Though Brussels has ramped up efforts to promote awareness of trans and intersex discrimination, I would like to see things speed up."

Thus far, Australia has passed a law that allows persons to select a third option for their gender on official documents. Belgium and Finland have also taken steps to curb transgender discrimination but have not yet passed laws to enforce equality for this group.

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