The Swedish parliament has made a significant change by passing a law that lowers the age for individuals to change their gender identity from 18 to 16. This move was supported by the centre-right governing coalition’s two biggest parties, the Moderates and the Liberals, and ultimately passed easily with a vote of 234-94.
Under the new law, individuals under 18 will still need approval from a guardian, a doctor, and the National Board of Health and Welfare to change their gender identity. Additionally, the requirement for an official diagnosis of gender dysphoria has been eliminated.
Johan Hultberg of the Moderates party, led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, calling it “a cautious but important reform for a vulnerable group.” The passage of this law has been praised by many, with political adviser to the Swedish Minister for Climate and the Environment congratulating Hultberg for his efforts.
While the Moderates and the Liberals largely supported the legislation, the smaller Christian Democrats opposed it. The Sweden Democrats, a socially conservative party, also opposed the law, with party leader Jimmie Åkesson questioning the use of taxpayer funds for sex-correcting surgery.
Peter Sidlund Ponkala, chairman of the Swedish Federation for LGBTQ+ Rights, hailed the passage of the law as “a step in the right direction” and a long-awaited recognition for those in the community. This move aligns Sweden with other countries like Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Spain, who have similar laws in place.
The recent approval of similar legislation in Germany further emphasizes the growing recognition and support for transgender, intersex, and nonbinary individuals across Europe.