Finland Has Passed A New Law Allowing People To Self-Identify Their Legal Gender
The new Finnish law allows people to choose their legal gender without going through invasive medical and psychological procedures.
The Finnish parliament has approved a new law making it easier for people to legally change their gender.
The new law will allow people over 18 to choose their legal gender on official documents without undergoing invasive medical and psychological procedures.
Individuals can now use a declaration to change their gender on official documents.
The new law includes a 30-day “reflection period” in which people can change their minds.
Previously, people in Finland could only change gender after they demonstrated infertility or sterilization.
The previous requirements were criticized by LGBTQ rights organizations as being designed to prevent trans people from having kids.
The law passed on Wednesday Feb. 1 by 113 to 69 votes and has been a priority for the country, according to Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin.
Human rights organizations have praised the law, but said they hope that it will also allow children to choose their gender.
“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,” Amnesty’s International Finland’s LGBTQ advisor said.
Finland joins Spain and Scotland in passing more accessible gender recognition laws.
