Finland has passed a new gender recognition law granting the right to legally change gender through the process of self-declaration, removing the need to go through a medical and psychiatric approval process first.
The new law was approved by 113 voting in favour of amendments, 69 against and 17 absent. As of now, psychiatric and medical processes will no longer be required, and transgender people no longer need to present a medical certificate of sterility.
“By passing this act, Finland has taken a major step towards protecting trans people’s rights and improving their lives and right to self-determination,” said Matti Pihlajamaa, Amnesty International Finland’s LGBTI Rights Advisor.
“The vote comes as a result of more than a decade of campaigning by civil society groups and is a testament to the commitment of activists who have fought long and hard – often in the face of toxic rhetoric – to see this day.”
Since the Centre Party considered the issue a ”matter of conscience,” government ranks were divided on the issue.
Of the Centre’s MPs, 13 voted against the reform. The entire parliamentary groups of the Finns Party and the Christian Democrats were also against it. Those who helped pass the law were the 26 MPs of the liberal-conservative National Coalition Party in opposition, who voted according to the government’s proposal.
The reform was a long process in the making and was plagued with obstacles from the get go. Its passing was considered a victory for Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s (SDP) five-party government, however, tensions remain high even after the final vote.
In her tweet, the Chair of the Christian Democrats’ parliamentary group Päivi Räsänen described her feelings as ”shocked and sad.”
(Pekka Vänttinen | EURACTIV.com)
Source: euractiv.com
