As the US celebrates the doubles down on its gender obsession, Belgium has become the first country in Europe, and indeed the world, to allow people to remove gender designations from their official identification documents. This development was announced by the Belgian Interior Minister, Bernard Gintens, in an interview with the Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. The new policy is expected to provide a clear path for those who identify as non-binary — people who do not strictly identify as male or female — to have their identification reflect their identity.
The changes come amid broader discussions on gender identity within the European Union, despite ongoing geopolitical challenges. Belgium will not introduce a third gender option on identity documents; however, the removal of gender identifying markers is seen as a progressive step. Interested individuals must submit a “clear and formal request” for the change to take effect.
While this measure is groundbreaking, responses from the LGBTQ+ community indicate that it may not adequately address their needs. The organisation avaria has pointed out that the choice remains limited to male or female, and that merely concealing binary gender from IDs is not a comprehensive solution. They argue that, while it is a step forward, it still lacks the true inclusivity that many within the community seek.
Conversely, the youth organisation Wel Jong has expressed concerns that without an official third option, schools will continue to struggle with how to support non-binary students. “Today, school administrations explain to students that they must identify as ‘M’ or ‘F’, as there is no other legal option,” they argue, suggesting that formal recognition of a third identity would facilitate necessary support for non-binary minors.
In 2021, attempts were made by the Belgian government to reform the gender identification process, which included plans for a third option in administrative records. However, these efforts were thwarted by opposition parties who deemed it essential for gender to be a visible element on ID cards for the identification of citizens, as reiterated by Gintens.
On the other side of the Channel, tensions are rising due to a letter sent by the US Embassy in Paris, which requests that French companies in defence and infrastructure sectors discontinue their initiatives on diversity and inclusion to align with a decree from former President Donald Trump. The response from France has been one of strong condemnation, with the Ministry of Finance stating that “the values of the American government do not align with those of France.” Patrick Martin, president of the French Business Confederation (Medef), described the letter as an imposition of American values on the global economy, calling for a robust response from European institutions.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.brusselstimes.com/195585/indication-of-gender-could-disappear-from-belgian-id-card – This article confirms that the indication of gender is set to disappear from Belgian ID cards to address the exclusion of non-binary people, aligning with the Belgian government’s efforts to reform gender identification processes.
- https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2025/04/02/gender-definition-x-not-to-be-allowed-on-id-cards-but-id-cards/ – This report supports the claim that while gender markers are being removed from ID cards, the option for a third gender marker, such as ‘X’, was not adopted, reflecting ongoing discussions about gender identity in Belgium.
- https://www.equaldex.com/log/11658 – This entry highlights that Belgium does not legally recognize non-binary gender but notes the removal of gender markers from identity cards as a recent development, reflecting the evolving approach to gender identity.
- https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/03/12/belgium-non-binary-legal-recognition-gender-law-petra-de-sutter/ – This article provides context on Belgium’s efforts to address non-binary recognition, including legal challenges and proposed changes in gender law, though it does not specifically mention ID cards.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent policy changes in Belgium and incorporates ongoing discussions within the European context. However, it does not specify if these changes are brand new or if they are a reiteration of previously announced developments.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
There are no direct quotes provided in the text. Therefore, it is not possible to verify their originality or source.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable Greek media outlet. It references specific political figures and organizations, indicating potential reliability, but lacks further citations or primary sources.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims are plausible and align with broader discussions on gender identity and societal norms in Europe. The narrative provides context and compares with existing political dynamics.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative seems well-informed about recent societal debates in Europe, particularly regarding gender identity in Belgium and tensions in France. However, the lack of direct quotes and specific primary sources reduces the confidence in its originality and detail.
