18 Nov Mexico City passes pro-trans bill
Mexico City has approved a bill to allow transgender people to legally change their gender without a court order.
The Legislative Assembly of the Federal District passed the legislation on Thursday (13 November) by 42 votes to zero. Six lawmakers abstained.
Jorge Zepeda Cruz, president of the commission, said in a statement that the legal changes were ‘inevitable.’
He said it was a priority of the city government to prohibit and eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in all areas of public administration.
Manuel Granados Covarrubias, president of the assembly’s human rights commission, said the amendments to the civil code would improve the lives of transgender people.
‘The ALDF complies with constitutional reform to ensure the observance of the fundamental rights of the people, by not allowing discriminatory acts or conduct’ he said.
He said the changes would not only elminate lengthy and complicated court procedures for transgender people, ‘but also recognizes their dignity.’
Mexico City already has a comprehensive anti-discrimination law that protects LGBTI people and explicits lists transphobia as a crime.
It is also the first city in Latin America to allow gender changes on birth certificates without medical examinations.
Argentina has allowed transgender people to legally change their gender without sex-reassignment surgery and an affidavit from a doctor since 2012.
The Chilean Senate is expected to vote on a bill next week that would allow transgender people to legally change their name and gender without sex reassignment surgery.
Source: Gay star news