The tightening of the General Equal Treatment Act (AWGB) came into effect on Friday, Nov. 1. This means that Section 1 of this law now explicitly states that unlawful discrimination on the basis of gender also covers transgender and intersex persons.
The added value of explicitly naming transgender and intersex persons is that organizations (such as employers, schools and sports associations) are more aware that discrimination on the basis of gender identity, gender expression or sexual characteristics is not allowed. It is expected that those involved are now more likely to dare to report discrimination.
Naming matters
Discrimination against transgender and intersex persons in the Netherlands was already covered by the prohibition of discrimination based on sex. There was therefore no strict legal need to add these grounds to the AWGB. However, it is of social importance to put discrimination against transgender and intersex persons beyond any doubt and to visibly propagate it. They face a lot of discrimination but rarely report it.