Swedish feminist organizations keep repeating it: they want at all costs to avoid pitting the cause of women against those of transgender people. But, for them, it is impossible to support the bill presented by conservative and liberal deputies which should ease the procedures for changing one’s sex in civil status, which they fear will lead to a decline in the rights of girls and women. .
Supported by all parties, with the exception of the Christian Democrats and the far right, the text aims to modernize the law dating from 1972 which made Sweden the first country in the world to legalize sex change. in civil status. Today, the procedure – reserved for those over 18 – is the same as that required to begin a medical transition. You must first undergo a psychological evaluation, in order to obtain the diagnosis of gender dysphoria, which must still be confirmed by a committee of experts within the national directorate of health and social affairs.
“Some transgender people have to wait between five and seven years, during which they are often victims of violence and harassment, for example when they have to present their identity papers at the post office or at the bank”, explains Peter Sidlund, president of the National Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights. The new law plans to give more room for self-determination and will allow people to legally change their sex from the age of 16, with parental consent.
If feminist associations assure that they understand the importance of improving the care of transgender people, they nevertheless believe that the deputies are moving too quickly. “Knowledge on this subject is evolving and we would need to pause to analyze the consequences”summarizes Clara Berglund, general secretary of the Federation of Women’s Organizations, which brings together around fifty associations.
These groups are particularly alarmed by the fact that, between 2007 and 2017, the number of young girls aged 13 to 17 treated for gender dysphoria increased by 2,300% in Sweden, from 31 to 727, with a high prevalence in adolescents suffering from autism or attention disorders.
“Challenge gender stereotypes”
Faced with this largely unexplained phenomenon, the national directorate of health and social affairs modified its recommendations in February 2022, calling on doctors to only prescribe puberty inhibitors to minors. “in exceptional cases”.
You have 32.69% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.