A law to change sex without proof from the age of 16 divides Spain
A demonstration in favor of the rights of LGBT+ people in Madrid in July 2021 (illustration image).
AFP - OSCAR DEL POZO
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
For months, the left-wing government has been debating the “ley trans”, for a new legal framework for transgender people.
In essence, this law would authorize any person to carry out a sex change from the age of 16 without authorization from anyone, and to reflect it in the civil status.
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With our correspondent in Madrid,
François Musseau
It is a law that would place Spain among the few countries to grant such a right.
Between the ages of 14 and 16, a person wishing to change sex only needs to be accompanied by their parents.
Between 12 and 14, she needs permission from a judge.
And from the age of 16, therefore, a person can do absolutely what they want.
A recent survey by the Sigma Dos institute says that 65% of Spaniards believe that this new right is problematic.
“
I think a little 16-year-old should try to get to know themselves, love themselves from the inside out, and not make big, sudden changes in their life
,” says Rebeca Gonzalez, a writer and very criticism of this bill.
Nerves are on edge as the subject is highly polarized within the left-wing government.
The Podemos ministers are very favorable to it, but the socialist ministers are very divided.
Anthropologist Izanami Martinez condemns what she considers to be an excess of polarization.
Not completely agreeing with this bill doesn't mean being transphobic, she says.
“
I am totally in favor of freedom and that everyone can decide as they want to feel, and at the same time, I am in favor of protecting children.
»
The text could very well be amended once it is formally presented to Parliament next Monday.
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