An early Christmas present for trans people yesterday as the lower house of the Spanish parliament and the Scottish parliament voted by clear margins to make it easier for trans people to declare their own gender.
Spain has been in the forefront of LGBT rights for many years. Now anyone over 16 will be able to change their legal gender without the need for psychological assessment or other medical evaluation, and those aged 14 to 16 may do so with parental approval. The vote in the upper house is unlikely to amend the bill.
Scotland will lower the age at which one can obtain a gender recognition certificate from 18 to 16 and this will no longer require medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria. This is only a regional parliament and there are suggestions that the UK national parliament in Westminster might attempt to override it. Nevertheless, this shows that there are legislators in Britain who do intend to see transgender people treated better.
Every little step around the world that improves trans lives does send a message to other democracies that society is progressing in its recognition and protection of trans people.
This is all welcome news at the end of a difficult year for so many people.
Holiday greeting
Someone suggested to me that what was really needed this year, as many people struggle with prices, residual pandemic, war and so on, was not so much wishes for happy holidays, which they might not be, but for gentle ones, for calmness and for kindness. That is what I wish you, a gentle, tranquil, low anxiety time.
Sue x
Here's to kindness and through that, improvements to rights that help us all. 🏳️🌈💜
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Thank you, Lynn. Sue xx
DeleteThanks Sue, I hope you've enjoyed a gentle and tranquil and low anxiety time too over the Festive Break.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lotte. I hope the year-end is proving to be gentle for you. Sue x
Delete