Spain approves law making it easier to legally change gender

Spain’s parliament has approved legislation expanding the rights of abortion and transgender teenagers, while making Spain the first country in Europe to allow workers to take paid menstrual leave.

The driving force behind the law is Equality Minister Irene Montero, a member of Spain’s left-wing coalition government, the United We Can Party.

The package of reforms approved by lawmakers on Thursday strengthens the rights of transgender people, including allowing any citizen over the age of 16 to change their legally registered gender without medical supervision.

Minors aged 12 to 13 need a judge’s authorization to make changes, while minors aged 14 to 16 need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Previously, it took several doctors for a transgender person to diagnose gender dysphoria.

The second law also bans so-called “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ people and provides state support for lesbians and single women seeking IVF treatment.

In another set of reforms also approved on Thursday, changes to sexual and reproductive rights mean 16- and 17-year-olds in Spain can now have abortions without parental consent.

Menstrual products will now be provided free of charge in schools and prisons, while hormonal contraceptives and morning-after pills will be provided free of charge in state-run health centres.

The menstrual leave measure allows workers who suffer from menstrual pain to take paid time off.

Additionally, the changes mandate the right to perform abortions in state hospitals. Currently, more than 80% of pregnancy termination procedures in Spain are performed in private clinics because of the large number of doctors in the public system who refuse to perform them – many citing religious reasons.

Under the new system, doctors in public hospitals will not be compelled to perform abortions if they have registered their objection in writing.

The abortion law, which builds on legislation passed in 2010, represents a major shift in the traditionally Catholic country, transforming Spain into one of the most progressive countries in Europe on reproductive rights.

Spain’s Constitutional Court last week rejected a challenge by the right-wing People’s Party to allow abortions up to the first 14 weeks of pregnancy.

The moves have been strongly opposed by right-wing parties that make up Spain’s main opposition bloc.