Spain approves bill to change sex without surgery

EITB24.com

The bill must now go before the Senate for a final vote. It will allow transsexuals to change their gender with a doctor’s certificate stating they have been diagnosed as having a gender-identity disorder.

The lower house of Spain’s parliament has approved a bill that would let transsexuals change their officially registered gender from male to female _ or vice versa _ without undergoing sex-change surgery.

The bill was approved Tuesday and must now go before the Senate for a final vote. It will allow transsexuals to change their gender listing in civil registries with a doctor’s certificate stating they have been diagnosed as having a gender-identity disorder _ that they believe they were born the wrong sex. They must change their first name to one of the other sex at the same time.

Another condition is that the person must prove they have undergone hormonal or other medical treatment for at least two years to encourage the change of identity.

Transsexuals unable to receive treatment due to age or health problems will be exempted. Applicants must be aged 18 or older.