The Swedish parliament shockingly passed a law reducing the minimum age for legal gender change from 18 to 16 years old, while also facilitating access to surgical interventions.
The law passed with 234 votes in favor and 94 against in the Swedish Parliament, which has 349 members.
Although Sweden was the first country to introduce legal gender change in 1972, the new proposal, aimed at allowing self-identification and simplifying the process, has sparked intense debate in the country.
The center-right coalition of conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was divided on the issue. The Prime Minister’s party, the Moderates, and the Liberals largely supported the law, while the smaller Christian Democrats party was against it.
The Sweden Democrats, supporting the government but not participating in it, were opposed.
In addition to lowering the age, the new law aims to make it easier for individuals to change their gender, a process that currently can take up to seven years.
Two new laws will come into effect on July 1, 2025: One regulating surgical interventions for gender change and the other regulating the administrative process for gender change.
From now on, the change will even be allowed from the age of 16, although those under 18 will need the approval of their parents, a doctor, and the National Health and Welfare Council.
Also, surprisingly enough, the diagnosis of gender dysphoria, which an individual may experience as a result of the mismatch between their biological sex and the gender they identify with, will no longer be required.
Surgical interventions for gender transition will be allowed from the age of 18, but the council’s approval will no longer be required. Oophorectomy or orchidectomy will only be allowed from the age of 23, as it is currently.
