A law allowing people over 16 to change their legally recognized gender without a medical evaluation has received final approval from the Spanish parliament.
The conclusion of an extensive debate saw it pass with 191 votes in favor and 60 against.
The process to change gender in documents could theoretically take three to four months.
A second law was passed that grants women who experience excruciating period pain, paid menstrual leave.
For people to change their gender on their ID card in the past, they had to receive a gender dysphoria medical diagnosis and undergo hormonal treatment for two years.
They can now declare themselves to be a different gender and confirm it three months later. Judge clearance is required for those 12 to 13 years old, while parental consent is required for those 14 and 15.
Irene Montero, the minister for equality, told lawmakers prior to the vote that “trans people are not sick people, they are just people.”.
After the law was passed and a 20-month parliamentary debate came to an end, she was captured smiling outside of congress.
However, not everyone favored the law. According to Patricia Bilbao, one protester, “We are here to support the rights of women as they are completely erasing us with these misogynist laws.”
Denmark, one of nine nations on the continent with self-declaration systems, was the first in Europe to pass a law of this kind in 2014.
Sweden, which in 1972 was the first country to legalize gender transition at all, recently restricted hormone therapy and mastectomies to people over the age of 18.
Spain has also became the first country in Europe to pass legislation giving women paid menstrual leave, something Ms Montero added was a legislature “of feminist conquests.”
According to the law, if a woman has a doctor’s note, the state will pay for sick leave if she is experiencing severe period pain.
It has been met with resistance, with the UGT trade union concerned that employers will favour hiring men.
Furthermore, minors can now receive an abortion at ages 16 and 17 without parental consent, and access to the procedure has been expanded in public hospitals.
Additionally, menstrual and contraceptive supplies will be freely distributed in all high schools.
Author-Roberta Appiah
