hokoriagov > Legislation > Gender Recognition and Protections Act, 2025

Gender Recognition and Protections Act, 2025

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An Act to provide for the recognition of gender identity, the registration of gender with the Koru’s Office, the protection of individuals from discrimination based on gender identity, biological sex or transgender status and for related purposes.

ENACTED by the Koru of the Hokorian State under the Constitution of the Hokorian State.

Part I- Preliminary

Section 1- Short title

  1. This Act may be cited as the Gender Recognition and Protections Act, 2025.

Section 2- Commencement

  1. This Act shall come into force on a date appointed by the Koru of the Hokorian State.

Section 3- Interpretation

  1. “State” means the Hokorian State.
  2. “Gender identity” means the gender that an individual identifies as.
  3. “Biological sex” means the sex that an individual is born as.
  4. “Transgender” means an individual whose gender identity differs from their biological sex.
  5. “Intersex person” means an individual born with natural variations of sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.
  6. “The Koru’s Office” means the executive office as defined by law.
  7. “Register of Citizens” means the register maintained under the Citizenship Act, 2025.

Part II- Recognition of Gender Identity

Section 4- Recognised genders

  1. The State shall recognise the following gender identities:
    1. Male;
    2. Female;
    3. Non-binary;
    4. Intersex.
  2. An intersex person may identify as intersex, male, female or non-binary.
  3. A non-intersex person may identify as male, female or non-binary.

Section 5- Application for recognition

  1. A person may apply to have their gender identity formally recognised by the Koru’s Office.
  2. Applications shall be submitted in such form as the Koru’s Office may determine.

Section 6- Good-faith self-identification

  1. All applications shall be based upon the applicant’s genuine self-identification.
  2. No medical diagnosis, surgical history, hormonal treatment or psychological assessment shall be required.
  3. The Koru’s Office shall recognise self-identification unless there is reasonable evidence that-
    1. the application is not made in good faith; or
    2. the application is made for fraudulent purposes; or
    3. the application is made to evade or frustrate legal obligations; or
    4. the application is made for any purpose contrary to the public good.

Section 7- Refusal of applications

  1. The Koru’s Office may refuse an application where-
    1. the application is not made in good faith; or
    2. the application appears intended to commit fraud; or
    3. the applicant provides information that is manifestly inconsistent; or
    4. recognising the application would result in an outcome contrary to law.
  2. Reasons for refusal shall be provided to the applicant.

Section 8- Effect of recognition

  1. Where a person’s gender identity is recognised-
    1. the person shall be legally regarded as that gender identity for all purposes of the State; and
    2. all documents issued by the State shall reflect that gender identity.
  2. Gender identity shall supersede biological sex in all legal, administrative and civil matters, except where specifically provided for under Part IV.

Part III– Registration

Section 9- Registration of gender identity

  1. Upon recognition of a gender identity, the Koru’s Office shall register that identity in the Register of Citizens.
  2. The Government shall not record biological sex.
  3. The declaration of biological sex shall be voluntary and only to bodies or organisations where relevant to the individual’s needs.

Section 10- Amendment of registered gender identity

  1. A person may apply to amend their registered gender identity.
  2. The good-faith provisions of Section 6 shall apply to amendments.

Section 11- Privacy of registered details

  1. Registered gender identity shall be confidential.
  2. It may only be disclosed to-
    1. the applicant;
    2. an authorised officer of the Koru’s Office;
    3. any Office, Agency or Partner of the Koru’s Office, where necessary and proportionate.

Section 12- Declaration of biological sex or transgender status

  1. No person shall be compelled to disclose their biological sex.
  2. No person shall be compelled to disclose whether they are transgender.
  3. No person shall be penalised for declining to make such declarations.

Part IV- Protections and Rights

Section 13- Discrimination

  1. No person shall be discriminated against on the basis of-
    1. their gender identity;
    2. their biological sex;
    3. their transgender status.
  2. Discrimination shall be prohibited in all areas of public life, including employment, housing, healthcare, education, public services, civil participation and the provision of goods and facilities.

Section 14- Gender-based needs

  1. A person shall be entitled to access gender-based care and services in accordance with their gender identity.
  2. Gender-based support may include-
    1. gender-affirming healthcare;
    2. access to services intended for a recognised gender;
    3. administrative accommodations required for social transition.
  3. Access to gender-affirming surgeries, procedures or hormonal treatment shall not be restricted on the basis of biological sex.

Section 15- Biological-sex-based needs

  1. Nothing in this Act shall prevent provision or prioritisation of services required for biological-sex-based needs.
  2. Examples include-
    1. healthcare relating to reproductive organs;
    2. screening, diagnosis or treatment relating to sex-specific conditions;
    3. protections in prisons, shelters or in-patient care where biological risk factors must be assessed;
    4. any other situation where biological sex is materially relevant to safety, health or care.
  3. No person shall be refused access to services required for such needs, regardless of their gender identity.

Section 16- Protection in employment, education and public life

  1. Employers, educators and service providers shall make reasonable adjustments to respect gender identity.
  2. Harassment or hostile conduct related to gender identity, biological sex or transgender status shall be unlawful.
  3. Dress codes, uniforms and role-specific requirements shall be applied in a gender-inclusive manner.

Section 17- Additional protections for transgender and intersex persons

  1. Transgender and intersex persons shall be entitled to additional safeguards where necessary to prevent harm or discrimination.
  2. Unwanted disclosure of transgender or intersex status by any public or private body shall be prohibited, except with explicit consent or where mandated by court order.
  3. Intersex children shall not be subjected to non-essential medical interventions intended to alter sex characteristics unless the child is capable of providing informed consent.

Part V- Miscellaneous

Section 18- Offences relating to fraud

  1. A person commits an offence if they knowingly make a fraudulent claim of gender identity-
    1. for financial gain;
    2. to evade legal responsibilities;
    3. to access services unlawfully; or
    4. to cause harm or harassment.
  2. An offence under this section shall not apply where an application is merely inconsistent or mistaken.

Section 19- Regulations

  1. The Koru’s Office may make regulations for the purpose of carrying this Act into effect.

Section 20- Continuity of documents

  1. Documents issued prior to recognition of a person’s gender identity shall remain valid unless replaced at the request of the person.
  2. Upon replacement, previous records shall be amended to reflect the recognised gender identity, unless preservation is required by law.

Section 21- Transitional provisions

  1. Any person whose gender identity has been acknowledged informally by any public body prior to this Act may apply for recognition under Section 5.
  2. The Koru’s Office shall take reasonable steps to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.