Legislation has been approved by Sweden’s parliament to decrease the minimum age for gender transition from 18 to 16, making the process more efficient as reported by BBC.
Sweden’s parliament passed the law with 234 votes in support and 94 against.
Commencing in July 2025, the new regulation will come into effect.
While Sweden led the way in legal gender transition back in 1972, this alteration has sparked significant debate.
Supporters see this as a crucial advancement, while opponents call for additional research.
Currently, individuals in Sweden must have a doctor’s diagnosis of gender dysphoria to change their legal gender
With the new law, the gender transition procedure will be simplified. A shorter consultation with a doctor or psychologist, combined with approval from the National Board of Health and Welfare, will be adequate.
Those aged 16 and over can now legally change their gender, with those under 18 needing consent from a parent or guardian, as well as medical and bureaucratic approval.
“It is unreasonable to have the same requirements for changing legal gender as for undergoing an irreversible gender confirming surgery,” stated Johan Hultberg from the ruling Moderate Party during an extensive parliamentary debate lasting six hours.
He also remarked, “The majority of Swedes will likely not even notice the change in the law, but for many transgender individuals, this new law will have a significant and positive impact.”
Nevertheless, there is opposition from right-wing groups. The Christian Democrats, a part of the governing coalition, and the far-right Sweden Democrats, who support the government, both objected to the legislation.
Many members of these parties expressed concerns and called for further examinations of gender dysphoria before endorsing the law.
The leader of the Sweden Democrats, Jimmie Akesson, criticized the casual passage of a proposal that lacked significant public support.
In defense of the proposal, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson characterized it as “carefully considered and sensible”.
This legal modification has also faced public resistance, as indicated by a recent poll commissioned by Swedish television network TV4.
According to Reuters, 59% of Swedes considered the proposal either negative or very negative, while only 22% viewed it positively.
Several European nations have already established laws to facilitate legal gender transitions.
Recently, the German parliament approved a similar law removing the necessity for a doctor’s certificate to change legal gender, even for those under 16, although parental or guardian consent is still required.
Spain has also recently passed a law allowing individuals over 16 to legally change their gender without a medical evaluation.
In the UK, changing one’s legally recognized gender requires a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria or meeting specific criteria, including undergoing gender-affirming surgeries and living in the affirmed gender for at least six years.