A form instead of an expert report

On 2 March 2023, a law that had been fought over for years came into force in Spain. The "Ley Trans" allows trans people aged sixteen and over to change their legal gender with a simple declaration at the civil registry. A psychiatric report is no longer required, nor is hormone treatment. Spain thus became the first large country in Europe to rely consistently on self-determination.

The road there was rocky. At times, activists even went on hunger strike to get the reform started at all. Then the plan split the left-wing governing coalition. The Equality Ministry pushed it forward, while parts of the Socialists and the feminist movement opposed it. They warned of legal uncertainty and saw women's rights at risk. The debate became vicious. Trans people became even more of a target for hostility.

In February 2023, the law finally passed parliament. It regulates much more than legal gender: conversion therapies are banned, and there are protective measures in health, work, education and against violence. Trans migrants can also amend their Spanish documents if their country of origin does not allow it.

For young people, a tiered system applies. Between fourteen and sixteen, parents must be involved; between twelve and fourteen, judicial approval is required. Younger children can only change their first name. It was precisely this part that was most hotly disputed in parliament.

Criticism also came from within the community. The law makes no provision for non-binary people; it still recognises only "man" and "woman". Nevertheless, the day is considered a milestone for trans rights in Europe.