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| Sweden passes law lowering age to change legal gender from 18 to 16 | Sweden passes law lowering age to change legal gender from 18 to 16 |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The law passed with 234 votes in favour and 94 against | The law passed with 234 votes in favour and 94 against |
| Sweden's parliament has passed a law lowering the age at which people can change their legal gender from 18 to 16, and making the process easier. | Sweden's parliament has passed a law lowering the age at which people can change their legal gender from 18 to 16, and making the process easier. |
| The law passed with 234 votes in favour and 94 against in Sweden's parliament. | The law passed with 234 votes in favour and 94 against in Sweden's parliament. |
| Though Sweden was the first country to make gender transition legal, in 1972, the new law has sparked intense debate. | |
| Some say it will make an "important difference" but critics say more research is needed. | Some say it will make an "important difference" but critics say more research is needed. |
| Currently, Swedes require a doctor's diagnosis of gender dysphoria to be allowed to change their legally recognised gender. | Currently, Swedes require a doctor's diagnosis of gender dysphoria to be allowed to change their legally recognised gender. |
| But under this new law - which would come into force in July 2025 - the process will be simpler, for example a shorter consultation with a doctor or a psychologist will be enough, along with approval from the National Board of Health and Welfare. | But under this new law - which would come into force in July 2025 - the process will be simpler, for example a shorter consultation with a doctor or a psychologist will be enough, along with approval from the National Board of Health and Welfare. |
| Legally changing a person's gender will also be possible from the age of 16, although those under 18 will need the approval of their parents or guardian, a doctor and the National Board of Health and Welfare. | Legally changing a person's gender will also be possible from the age of 16, although those under 18 will need the approval of their parents or guardian, a doctor and the National Board of Health and Welfare. |
| The new law will also separate the process of changing legal gender from gender surgery, which will still need a longer assessment and will still only be allowed from the age of 18. | The new law will also separate the process of changing legal gender from gender surgery, which will still need a longer assessment and will still only be allowed from the age of 18. |
| "It is not reasonable that there should be the same requirements for changing legal gender as for making an irreversible gender confirming surgery," said Johan Hultberg of the ruling Moderate Party, during a lengthy six-hour debate in parliament. | "It is not reasonable that there should be the same requirements for changing legal gender as for making an irreversible gender confirming surgery," said Johan Hultberg of the ruling Moderate Party, during a lengthy six-hour debate in parliament. |
| "The great majority of Swedes will never notice that the law has changed, but for a number of transgender people the new law makes a large and important difference," he added. | "The great majority of Swedes will never notice that the law has changed, but for a number of transgender people the new law makes a large and important difference," he added. |
| But the plan is unpopular with those on the right. | But the plan is unpopular with those on the right. |
| The Christian Democrats - who are in the government's coalition - and the far-right Sweden Democrats - who have backed the government - both did not support the law, with many MPs saying they wanted to see more research into gender dysphoria first. | The Christian Democrats - who are in the government's coalition - and the far-right Sweden Democrats - who have backed the government - both did not support the law, with many MPs saying they wanted to see more research into gender dysphoria first. |
| The leader of the Sweden Democrats, Jimmie Akesson, said he thought it was "deplorable that a proposal that obviously lacks support among the population is so casually voted through". | The leader of the Sweden Democrats, Jimmie Akesson, said he thought it was "deplorable that a proposal that obviously lacks support among the population is so casually voted through". |
| Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has defended the proposal as "balanced and responsible". | Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has defended the proposal as "balanced and responsible". |
| The public has also been generally less supportive of the law change, with a recent poll by Swedish television network TV4 finding that 59% of Swedes thought it was a bad or very bad proposal, while 22% thought it was a good one, Reuters reported. | The public has also been generally less supportive of the law change, with a recent poll by Swedish television network TV4 finding that 59% of Swedes thought it was a bad or very bad proposal, while 22% thought it was a good one, Reuters reported. |
| Sweden country profile | Sweden country profile |
| Germany eases gender change rules | Germany eases gender change rules |
| A number of European countries have already passed laws making it easier for people to change their legal gender. | A number of European countries have already passed laws making it easier for people to change their legal gender. |
| Last week, the German parliament passed a similar law no longer requiring a doctor's certificate for someone to change their legal gender - including for under-16s, although they will need the consent of their parents or guardian. | Last week, the German parliament passed a similar law no longer requiring a doctor's certificate for someone to change their legal gender - including for under-16s, although they will need the consent of their parents or guardian. |
| And last year, Spain gave its final approval to a law allowing people over 16 to legally change their gender without medical evaluation. | And last year, Spain gave its final approval to a law allowing people over 16 to legally change their gender without medical evaluation. |
| In the UK, to change your legally recognised gender you need a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria, or meet certain other criteria, including having had gender surgery and lived "in your affirmed gender for at least six years". | In the UK, to change your legally recognised gender you need a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria, or meet certain other criteria, including having had gender surgery and lived "in your affirmed gender for at least six years". |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Sweden | Sweden |
| LGBT | LGBT |
| Transgender people | Transgender people |