Despite debates and internal fights in the PSOE, in the Government and in the feminist movement, it was approved on December 22with a parliamentary majority the so-called “trans law”. It must now be referred to the Senate.
The new law that seeks more advanced regulation of transsexuality in Spain, It continues to generate a strong controversy in the feminist movement and among the parties of the Spanish left.
The regulations establish gender self-determination, which provokes the rejection of more traditional feminism, to which many socialist militants belong who consider that this law puts women’s rights at risk since a man does not become a woman by the simple fact of legally changing his sex.
On the contrary, the emerging left of Podemos, an ally of the Socialists in the coalition government, considers that transgender women have the same rights than the rest of the females.
The new law will allow a transgender person to change their name and sex by submitting a simple request at the Civil Registry. Besides, Young people between the ages of 14 and 16 can also do it., provided they are assisted in the process by their legal guardians. For those from 12 to 14 years old, it is necessary that they have judicial guarantee.
Spain will become one of the few countries in the world thatauthorizes gender self-determination, but the debate that keeps the Spanish left divided will continue to be open beyond parliamentary approval.
