Draft:German Association for Transidentity and Intersexuality

The German Association for Transidentity and Intersexuality (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität e. V., abbreviated to dgti) is a non-profit association that promotes the interests of transident, transgender, intersex and non-binary persons and offers them support on various levels.

Its tasks include developing information materials and support services, lobbying for legal improvements, and promoting research and science on the topic.

The dgti is committed to the rights of all transident, transgender, intersex and non-binary persons and to a self-determined life. This includes, for example, improving health care, strengthening the legal position of those affected and promoting acceptance and inclusion in society. The dgti works closely with various institutions and organizations and is a member of various national and international networks and associations. It offers its members and interested parties numerous events and services such as information events, seminars and consultations.

Goals
One of the most important goals of the German Association for Transidentity and Intersexuality is to improve health care; the dgti is committed to ensuring that transgender and intersex people have access to high-quality medical services and counseling that meet their needs. This includes, for example, support for hormonal and surgical gender reassignment, promotion of education and prevention regarding health risks, and support for coping with psychological stress.

The dgti is also committed to strengthening the legal position of transgender and intersex people and works to ensure that they can exercise their rights and are protected from discrimination. This includes, for example, improving the legal framework for name and gender reassignment, promoting education and awareness with regard to their rights, and supporting the enforcement of claims in the event of discrimination.

The association supports the self-determination and self-actualization of transident, transgender, intersex and non-binary persons. The dgti offers its members and interested parties numerous events and services, such as information events, seminars and consultations, which help those affected to better understand and realize their individual needs and wishes. It is also committed to promoting acceptance and inclusion of transgender and intersex people in society and works to ensure that they can live openly and self-determined without fear of rejection and discrimination.

History
The association was founded in Cologne in 1998. When founding the dgti, the founders focused on a "catchy and official sounding name". They decided on the name German Association for Transidentity and Intersexuality (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität) with the abbreviation DGTI. Later, they found out that the abbreviation was already taken and used by the German Association for Transfusion Medicine & Immunohematology e. V. However, this association gave them the right to use the abbreviation dgti. In the naming of the dgti the term transidentity in distinction to the term transsexuality played an important role. The founders saw the term transsexuality critically, because it was defined by the ICD-10 as pathologizing and the association does not see transidentity as a disease, but as a norm variant of nature. In addition, the term transsexuality linguistically misclassified the term into the group of sexual orientations, even though it is a matter of gender identity. Finally, the founders agreed that the term transidentity would prevail in the medium or long term and therefore used it in their association name.

Supplemental ID
One of the most important projects of the dgti is the dgti-Supplemental ID (dgti-Ergänzungsausweis), a standardized identity document confirmed by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs (Bundesministerium der Innern und Heimat), which is used in Germany to prevent discrimination via official channels. An according identity document was already suggested by the German Bundestag in 1989. It was developed by the German Association for Transidentity and Intersexuality to provide transident, transgender, intersex and non-binary persons with a document that documents their self-selected identity and makes it easier for them to display their personal data, to claim a legitimate interest without having to verbally express it and to be addressed by the desired name and pronouns or to use the appropriate restroom facilities, although this document is not a condition for claiming a legitimate interest.

The ID card contains all of the holder's self-chosen personal data, including first name, pronouns, and gender. In addition, it contains a recent passport photograph of the holder and an ID number from an official identity document. The ID card is known and accepted by all ministries of the interior, the police, many government agencies, banks, universities and insurance companies, among others. In cases where the dgti-supplementary ID card is not yet accepted or not known, the QR code on the back of the ID card can be used to confirm the validity of the document.

The dgti supplementary ID card is only valid in combination with an official identity document such as the German ID card and expires simultaneously with the expiry of the official identity document tied with it and must be re-applied for if needed. The supplementary ID card can be applied for online using the online dgti-supplemental ID application form.

Consulting Services by the dgti
The German Association for Transidentity and Intersexuality operates counseling centers in different regions of Germany that offer support and counseling to transident, transgender, intersex and non-binary persons. These counseling centers are distributed in different cities and regions of Germany and offer their services in the form of individual and group counseling.

The dgti counseling centers are run by professionals and provide a confidential and safe environment where interested individuals can discuss their personal concerns and questions. Counseling sessions can be conducted in person, by phone or online, as well as anonymously.

A variety of topics and focuses are offered, such as assistance with hormonal and surgical gender affirmation, counseling regarding the legal framework for name and gender reassignment, support in coping with psychological stress, and help with integration into school, training, and work. The dgti's counseling centers are open to people of all ages and life situations, and offer individualized and needs-based support. The organization is working to establish more counseling centers in different regions of Germany and is committed to ensuring that individuals everywhere in Germany have access to qualified and needs-based support.

The dgti website offers extensive information and resources on various topics. This includes, for example, information on legal issues, health topics, educational and counseling opportunities, or support services in various life situations. It also contains recommendations for other organizations and institutions that can help visitors with their questions and concerns. In addition, the dgti offers regularly updated news and event information on its website that might be of interest to its visitors.

Overall, the dgti website is an important resource for transgender, intersex and non-binary people seeking support and information on various topics.

Training Services by the dgti
Likewise, the association offers various trainings for professionals and companies. These trainings aim to support professionals to increase their knowledge and skills in dealing with transident, transgender, intersex and non-binary persons and to give them a deeper understanding of their specific needs and challenges.

The dgti's advanced training and education courses are aimed at professionals from various fields, such as social work, health care, psychotherapy, education, and legal counseling. The trainings are conducted by experienced professionals who have extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with transident and intersex persons. The trainings offer participants the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills in dealing with such persons and to exchange ideas with other professionals.

The dgti also offers trainings for those interested in learning more about the concerns and needs of transident, transgender, intersex and non-binary persons. These trainings are open to anyone who is interested in the topic and wants to learn more about the specific needs and challenges of those affected. The trainings for interested people provide a basic understanding of the topic and offer the opportunity to exchange ideas and ask questions with other interested people.

Certification Program
The certification program for medical facilities of the dgti in cooperation with the Trans-Kinder-Netz e. V. is a project that sets the goal of achieving a uniform standard in the medical work of health care personnel in medical facilities that goes beyond established treatment guidelines and the legal requirements to take into account the experiences of transident, transgender, intersex and non-binary patients in the context of health care. Through the certification program, professionals should be able to better understand and incorporate the needs and experiences of such patients into their work.

Reasons for the introduction of the certification program are the lack of awareness and expertise regarding the issue and the resulting negative consequences. The lack of expertise and awareness in dealing with transident, transgender, intersex and non-binary patients has a negative impact on their health situation and care. Insufficient expertise can lead to these patients being treated incorrectly or inadequately in the medical field. Lack of awareness in dealing with such patients may make them feel unsafe and not understood in the medical field. They may feel that they are being discriminated against or that their needs and experiences are not being taken into account. This may lead them to adopt an avoidance attitude and delay or not attend medical examinations at all. This avoidance mindset can have long-term negative effects on them, as they may not seek early medical examinations and thus potentially dangerous health problems may be overlooked or go untreated. It is therefore important that medical professionals have sufficient expertise and awareness in dealing with affected patients to ensure non-discriminatory and appropriate health care.

As of December 2022, only one facility had been certified by dgti, the Clementine Children's Hospital in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.