Abstract
Summary
Transsexualism, a clinical syndrome which has been recognized for the past twenty years, has been surprisingly neglected in regard to the medicolegal aspects which are involved in surgical sex reassignment.
There is a lack of legal definition of sex which further enhances the problems for the future of the transsexual patient. The change of document identification, such as change of: name; birth certificate; other documents, are discussed; in addition matrimonial and criminal considerations are explored, as well as the legality of surgical sex reassignment.
In conclusion, it is noted that apart from recent legislation passed in British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick and Manitoba, establishing the legal status of the reassigned transsexual, little or no attempt has been made by the law to deal with the special problems which this type of patient presents.