In Spain, a bill was passed to allow anyone aged 16 or over to change gender on their ID card. With 188 voting for and 150 against, the bill now moves to the Senate for final approval.
Helmed by the left-wing Podemos party, part of a coalition government with the Socialist party of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the bill eyes to allow anyone from age 16 to change their gender, which they must then confirm three months later. Those aged 12 and over can apply under certain conditions.
Currently, applicants are required to have a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria – or that feeling of a mismatch between one’s biological sex and the gender identity – and a proof of hormonal treatment for two years. Minors, meanwhile, need judicial approval.
Already, nine other European countries have adopted self-declaration systems for legal gender recognition, including Ireland, Denmark, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland.
