Life for many transgender people in Spain could get a little bit easier thanks to a bill passed by the lower house of Spain’s parliament in Madrid. The bill would let transsexuals change their officially registered gender from male to female or vice versa without undergoing sex-change surgery. There are a few hurdles that need to be jumped though. First the Spanish
Senate needs to pass the bill. Additionally:

Transsexuals who want to change their gender listing in civil registries will need a doctor’s certificate stating they have been diagnosed as having a gender-identity disorder that they believe they were born the wrong sex. They must change their first name to one of the other sex at the same time.

Another condition is that the person must prove they have undergone hormonal or other medical treatment for at least two years to encourage the change of identity. Transsexuals unable to receive treatment due to age or health problems will be exempted. Applicants must be aged 18 or older.

According to The Advocate there are anywhere from 7,000 to 9,000 transsexuals in Spain (although the number is probably higher than that if you were to factor in people who haven’t “come out” officially). Regardless the law would continue to keep Spain ahead as a nation which is moving forward in the area of GBLT rights. Spain already recognizes same-sex marriage and allows same sex couples to adopt children. This new law could be applied retroactively meaning that people who have already undergone medical treatment or are in the process now do not have to begin a new two-year period of treatment.

While the bill isn’t perfect, it still serves as an example of progressive legislation especially for people here in the United States where 7 states banned same sex marriage in yesterday’s elections.

Via / The Advocate