Sweden passes law lowering legal gender transition age to 16 amid controversy

The new law was passed after a debate that lasted nearly six hours with 234 votes in favor and 94 against, while 21 lawmakers were absent.

However, under the new law, people under 18 still need approval from their guardians, doctors and the National Health and Welfare Board before being allowed to change.

A diagnosis of gender dysphoria, which is psychological distress caused by feeling that one's gender does not match one's gender identity, will no longer be necessary.

Before Sweden, several countries such as Denmark, Norway, Finland and Spain have also passed similar laws.

The Democrats, a populist party with far-right roots that supports the government in parliament but is not in government, opposed the law. "It is a pity that a proposal that clearly lacks popular support was voted through so lightly," Jimmie Akesson, leader of the Sweden Democrats, told reporters.

Swedish parliament divided over bill lowering gender transition age.

Meanwhile, Peter Sidlund Ponkala, chairman of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights, known by its Swedish acronym RFSL, called the law's passage "a step in the right direction" and "a fair recognition for all those who have been waiting decades for a new law."

Sweden was the first Nordic country to introduce legal gender reassignment in 1972.

Citing an abundance of caution, in 2022 the Swedish government decided to halt hormone therapy for minors except in very rare cases and ruled that mastectomy surgery for teenage girls who want to transition should be limited to research settings.

Sweden has seen a sharp rise in cases of gender dysphoria. This is particularly evident among girls aged 13 to 17, with a 1,500% increase since 2008, according to the Board of Health and Welfare.

vtv.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/thuy-dien-thong-qua-luat-ha-do-tuoi-chuyen-doi-gioi-tinh-hop-phap-xuong-16-trong-tranh-cai-post382982.html