ABOVE: Spanish parliament. (Photo by adamico/Bigstock)
Spanish lawmakers on Feb. 16 gave their final approval to a bill that would allow people who are at least 16-years-old to legally change their gender without medical intervention.
Deutsche Welle reported 191 Spanish MPs voted for the measure, while 60 opposed it and 91 abstained.
Trans people in Spain previously needed to prove a doctor had diagnosed them with gender dysphoria and show evidence they had undergone hormone therapy for at least two years in order to legally change their gender. A minor who wanted to legally change their gender needed to obtain a judge’s approval.
The bill that Spanish MPs approved applies to anyone who is at least 16-years-old.
Teeangers who are 14- or 15-years-old can seek to legally change their gender with approval from a parent or legal guardian. A judge still needs to approve requests from 12- or 13-year-olds.
Deutsche Welle reported the bill also bans so-called conversion therapy and includes provisions to address discrimination based on gender identity in employment, education and housing.
“This law recognizes the right of trans people to self-determine their gender identity, it depathologizes trans people,” said Equalities Minister Irene Moreno before the vote. “Trans people are not sick people, they are just people.”
Four Spanish LGBTQ and intersex rights groups — FELGTBI+ (the State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Transgender People, Bisexuals, Intersexuals and More), Chrysallis, the Association of Families of Transgender Children and Youth and Fundación Triángulo — in a statement celebrated the bill’s passage.
“It is fundamental that what is reflected in the law makes us one of the countries with the most advanced legislation in terms of LGTBI+ rights,” said FELGTBI+ President Urge Sangil. “This translates into real rights.”
The statement adds the bill’s passage is “only the first step to stop hate towards the LGTBI+ community and hate speech.”
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