Spain passes new trans rights bill allowing people above 16 to change legally registered gender

The bill was approved by 188 legislators, opposed by 150 in Spain’s lower house, and is now in the line to move to the Senate. Moreover, it will become law in a few weeks if accepted by the upper house allowing transgenders above the age of 16 in Spain to change their legal gender with a decleration.

This bill was long pending for 18 months because of a heated parliamentary debate, as said by Saida Garcia, Vice President of the Euforia Trans Family Alliance Group. Sponsored by Coalition Government’s junior party (the far-left Unidas Podemos) and highly opposed by the right wing.

These right-wing parties and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez tried to add an amendment stating the court supervision for people of below 16 years of age to change their gender. However, they couldn’t succeed.

Here are the important key points of the bill

• Minors 12-13 years of age will require the judge’s authorization before changing their registered gender.
• Minors between the age of 14 and 16 must come along with their parents/guardians to change their gender.


• No need to get diagnosed by gender dysphoria specialist doctors before deciding on gender change.
• A ban on conversion therapies conducted to suppress a person’s gender orientation.
• Lay off the ban that prevents lesbians from registering their children with the names of both parents.

FAQs:

1. Can a person change his legally registered gender in Spain?
   A bill of gender-self-identification has been passed in Spain, and it will soon become law.
2. When did the bill of gender self-identification passed in Spain?
   December 22, 2022.
3. Which party sponsored the gender self-identification bill in Spain?
   Far-left Unidas Podemos (junior party in the coalition government).