Hatter noted that before 2020, transsexuals had the opportunity to have their gender and name changed in their documents, until the then Fidesz government removed that option "without social consultation, hidden among proposals in an omnibus bill".

"Since then transsexuals have been forced to live with documents not reflecting their sexual identity and appearance, and they have to reveal their trans status in all situations where they need to identify themselves. That involves risks of discrimination, harassment or even violence," Hatter said.

In 2021, Hatter filed a request for public information to ascertain how many such requests had been submitted before 2020, and how many the authorities approved.

The government office, however, refused to release figures for 2010-2016, claimed that in that period another agency evaluated such requests and that "meeting the request for public information would take too much time".

Hatter then turned to national data protection authority NAIH, which established in October last year that the government office had unlawfully refused to release the data.

The government office, however, maintained its position to withhold the information and Hatter turned to court.

After the Central District Court of Budapest's positive ruling the government office finally released the requested figures, according to which between 2010-2020 a total of 416 people had requested to change their gender, and 253 requests were approved by the authorities.

Photo: Pixabay

Source: MTI – Hungary’s national news agency since 1881.

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