Transgender Europe welcomes the developments for trans rights in Denmark and Norway this week. In Denmark [1], the Danish Parliament has adopted a symbolic decision [2] to remove trans people from the list of mental illnesses. While in Norway [3], a new law, which gives trans people access to quick, accessible and transparent legal gender recognition will go through a final vote on Monday 6th June, after being presented in Parliament yesterday.
On the vote in Denmark, TGEU’s Health Officer Adam Smiley comments,
“Transgender Europe welcomes the historic step to depathologise trans people in Denmark. Trans people are not sick, and other countries should follow by removing trans identities from their mental health diagnostic manuals. However, even in Denmark the job is not done. The provision of trans-specific healthcare in Denmark needs urgent improvement. Decision makers need to ensure that depathologisation also translates into reform for accessible, quality healthcare based on self determination and informed consent.”
TGEU’s Steering Committee member Stein Wolff Frydenlund comments on the situation in Norway;
“This is a huge step forward and leads to great improvements for transgender persons in Norway. While some things in the law could be better, including the removal of age limits, and considerations for non-binary gender markers, it is important to recognise the strong political support for our rights.”
TGEU calls on Denmark to ensure that this symbolic gesture also translates into quality healthcare for trans people based on self determination and informed consent.
TGEU awaits the vote on the 6th of June in Norway to celebrate this major achievement for trans rights with the activists, organisations, and individuals who have worked tirelessly in this regard.
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Notes & More Information:
[1] In Danish, http://lgbt.dk/enigt-folketing-fjerner-transkoennede-fra-sygdomsliste/
In English, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/05/denmark-transgender-decision/
[2] 17th May 2016, Transgender Europe Statement; “Denmark losing patience with WHO, will depathologise trans identities” http://tgeu.org/idahot2016statement/
[3] In Norwegian, http://www.blikk.no/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=13426:endelig&Itemid=164
18th March 2016, Transgender Europe Statement, “Self-determination for Trans People in Norway could soon be a reality.” http://tgeu.org/self-determination-trans-people-norway-soon-reality/
TGEU’s work on Health & Depathologisation: http://tgeu.org/issues/health_and_depathologisation/
TGEU’s work on Legal Gender Recognition:
http://tgeu.org/issues/legal-gender-recognition/