Transgender Rights Under Review

Proposed modifications in the law regulating sex changes have The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights both cheering and booing.

The government appointed inquiry into sexual identity, has proposed changes that would make it easier for transsexuals to be parents but suggests keeping the 18-year age limit for sex changes.

In 1972, Sweden became the first country in the world to instate a law regulating transsexuals’ rights to sex changes. When the former government appointed a group to look into the old law, it was viewed as out-of-date and discriminatory.

To date, Swedish law requires a person to be sterilised in order to apply for a sex change. If the proposal is adopted, transsexuals will be able to freeze eggs and sperm enabling them to become biological parents.