Social Issues

Spain lawmakers back bill allowing teens to change gender

Madrid, Dec 22 (EFE).- A Spanish law that would make it easier for trans people to legally change their gender without first obtaining a diagnosis of dysmorphia or undergoing hormone treatment moved a step closer to approval Thursday.

The majority of lawmakers in Spain’s Congress, the country’s lower parliamentary chamber, voted in favor of the law that also grants greater rights to the wider LGBTQ+ community although it was opposed by conservative and right wing parties.

It marks the final stretch for a law first proposed by the government, a Socialist Party-led coalition with left-wing junior partners Unidas Podemos, in June last year, sparking a lengthy and often divisive debate.

The law has been widely welcomed by LGBT+ groups but some feminist organizations believe that it “erases” women.

Those divisions have also seeped into the governing Socialist Party itself, and prompted former deputy prime minister Carmen Calvo to abstain in Thursday’s vote. The rest of the Socialist Party’s lawmakers did, however, back the law.

The draft law would allow people over 16 to officially change their gender without the need for diagnosis or hormone treatment, something over 14s could do with the consent of their parents or legal guardians.

Those aged between 12 and 14 could do the same with the permission of a judge.

The under 12s will not be able to officially change their gender in accordance with the law, but would be able to change the name on their official identity card.

The law would also prohibit conversion therapy and guarantee reproductive assistance to members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as recognize parentage rights without the need to be married. EFE

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