The German parliament was forced by the courts to make “diverse” an option on the birth register. Critics are split on whether the law goes too far, or not far enough. Germans will soon be able to choose a third gender on the register of births, with “diverse” set to become an option. Up until now, people had to choose between “male” and “female” when giving their gender, or leave the option blank. But following a vote in the German parliament late on Thursday intersex people — people whose sexual anatomy does not fit the typical definitions of male and female — will be allowed to change their entry to “diverse.” The “third gender” option places Germany in line with other countries that have introduced measures to recognize intersex people or a third gender, such as Austria, Australia, New Zealand, India, Canada and Portugal.