In Spain, the future of transgender rights hangs in the balance as the conservative People’s Party (PP) and far-right Vox gain traction ahead of the upcoming election. Families like Ana Valenzuela’s, who have transgender children, worry that a change in government could lead to the erosion of hard-won LGBT rights. Spain’s progressive legislation passed earlier this year allowed transgender individuals aged 14 and above to change their legal gender without requiring extensive evaluations or judicial approval. However, the possibility of a PP-Vox alliance has instilled fear within the community.
Under the current law, children aged 12 to 14 can change their gender with parental consent and judicial approval. Valenzuela’s 12-year-old trans daughter, eager to assert her identity, wishes to modify her national ID card promptly, apprehensive that a conservative government might revoke her right to self-identify. Valenzuela, who contributed her expertise during the formulation of the “Trans Law,” laments the awareness and concerns that children have regarding this political situation.
Vox has made its intentions clear, vowing to repeal the Trans Law and challenging its constitutionality before the Constitutional Court. The party argues that the legislation infringes upon child protection rights and the right to bodily integrity. Moreover, Vox seeks to limit access to gender transition procedures by excluding hormone replacement therapies from the public healthcare system, effectively making them available only through private providers. They also propose banning trans women from participating in women’s sports and using women’s bathrooms.
While polls indicate the likelihood of the People’s Party winning the majority of votes in the upcoming election, it is expected to fall short of an outright majority, potentially necessitating an alliance with Vox to form a government. Olga Nadal, vice-president of Chrysallis Catalunya, an organization advocating for trans youth rights, warns of the imminent threat posed by this potential alliance. Chrysallis comprises approximately 2,000 families across Spain, with Valenzuela serving as the president of the Catalan branch.
The Spanish LGBT community refuses to accept the potential repeal of the Trans Law without a fight. During an LGBT Pride march in downtown Barcelona, Nadal affirmed their resilience in the face of adversity. She declared, “There is a threat. But we will stand up to them.” The community understands the significance of preserving the rights they have fought for and remains committed to defending them.
As the political landscape evolves and conservative forces gain momentum, it is clear that Spain’s transgender community faces a challenging period ahead. The impending election carries significant implications for the rights of transgender individuals, particularly regarding their ability to self-identify and access necessary healthcare. This battle for transgender rights highlights the importance of ongoing activism and advocacy to ensure the protection and advancement of LGBT rights in Spain and beyond.