There is welcome news out of Finland: it just became much easier for people to change their legally recognized gender.
A newly passed law means transgender adults can now do so by self-declaration. No excessive red tape. No invasive medical or psychiatric procedures. No having to feel stigmatized by a degrading process.
After many years of campaigning and pressure from rights groups, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin made the law a priority for her government. It was passed on Wednesday by a large majority in parliament: 113 votes for, 69 against.
Our friends at Amnesty International called it, “a major victory for equality.” The group said the new law would have, “a huge and positive impact and provide an important pillar for non-discrimination.” Of course, they also noted more is yet to be done, even in Finland.
But Finland’s move towards greater tolerance and respect stands in stark contrast to what’s happening in some other countries.
In the US, for example, several politicians seem to be in some kind of twisted competition to see who can dehumanize trans folks more. They’re trying to turn them into a “wedge issue” as part of some “culture war” they want voters to believe in and get angry about. And it’s affecting laws for the worse in some states.
But trans people are neither a wedge nor a war. They are people. And they have rights. Just like everyone else.
Governments should not be telling any of us what we are or how we should self-identify. That’s for each of us to decide.
So, here’s to Finland for recognizing this essential point and showing the way for other countries.
