An overwhelming majority of the Swedish government voted yes to a new gender law. This was after much debate regarding what is and is not right for the Swedish citizens. But what does the new gender law actually mean? And how will it make a difference? Below, a summary of the most important changes that the new law will entail.
The new gender law comes into force starting July 1st 2025. Unlike the current law, the new one targets all people who want to change their legal gender. Today, it’s only possible for transgender people to change their legal gender. Other groups, such as people that are non-binary, who doesn’t identify themselves as trans but want to change their legal gender aren’t able to do so under the current law. A persons legal gender is what is stated in your passport and what your Swedish social security number indicates. So it’s not about making physical changes to the body. In other words, the new gender law makes it possible to change legal gender on paper. So you’re not obligated to undergo surgery or physically change gender to do so anymore. This is also something that particularly benefits non-binary people.
The age limit for changing legal gender will also be lowered to 16 compared to today’s 18. And you don’t have to have a gender dysphoria diagnosis to be able to make the change. A simple doctor’s certificate will be enough. However, minors need their guardian’s approval to change their legal gender.
The new Swedish gender law is important for LGBT+ people
Even if the new gender law means some changes for LGBT+ groups, it’s only a step in the right direction according to the RFSL. Their hope is that people will be able to decide their physical and legal gender identity themselves, without the influence of healthcare and authorities. This is to increase the well-being of LGBT+ people, who are more likely to suffer from mental illness and are also at risk of being discriminated against.
If you’re discriminated against, for example at your workplace, because of your gender identity, you can get help from our lawyers at Kliently. Download our app to book a video meeting with our lawyers today.
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