Spain Approves Trans Rights Bill
On Thursday, Spanish lawmakers passed a bill allowing trans people aged 14 and over to change their legal gender without the need for psychological or other medical evaluation though 14- to 16-year olds would still need parental or guardians' agreement.
The bill, which has been heavily criticized by the conservative opposition and some feminists, was approved in the lower house of parliament by 188-150 votes, with seven abstentions. It still has to be endorsed by the Senate.
“We are making progress on rights as a country,” Equality Minister Irene Montero said during the debate leading up to the vote. “We want all LGBTI people to be able to be themselves, without closets.”
Outside the Congress building, dozens of activists exchanged hugs and cheered in celebration after the vote, while some burned blue, white and pink flares.
Image Credit: Pixabay
“What I think is going to change is society… It is about visibility and normalization,” Encarni Bonilla, mother of a transgender youth and member of the Chrysallis association, told Reuters.
The bill has caused unease within the ruling coalition, with the far-left Unidas Podemos party, which sponsored it, accusing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist party of attempting to torpedo the law, but ultimately the Socialists backed the legislation.
Joining those celebrating outside were Montero and former Socialist lawmaker Carla Antonelli, who had quit the party in protest over the delays in the legislative process.
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