Forced trans sterilisations to end

Forced trans sterilisations to end

Sweden’s conservative Christian Democrats — members of the governing coalition — have reversed their position on forced sterilisations for trans people.

The party was the primary obstacle to ending the policy of forced sterilisations.

“It’s time to abolish the requirement for sterilisation at sex change,” party leaders wrote in an opinion piece published last week in the Swedish press.

The current law forces transgender people to undergo sterilisation before legally changing gender. The surgery renders a person permanently infertile.

“This is incredible news for Sweden: it means that anyone will be able to have their true identity recognised without having to be sterilised,” Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights president Ulrika Westerlund (pictured) said.

“It’s crucial that the new law comes into place as soon as possible.”

The announcement came after several years of mobilisation against the issue in Sweden followed by a massive international outcry coordinated by AllOut.org.

The global campaign to stop forced sterilisation in Sweden was the largest online campaign in history supporting human rights for transgender people.

“Swedish activists have worked for years to lay the foundation for this victory and I am so proud that AllOut.org could build the international momentum that finally pushed Prime Minister Reinfeldt and party leaders to end this cruel practice,” said AllOut executive director Andre Banks.

“It’s a victory for Sweden, but it is also decisive for Europe. AllOut.org members across the continent will continue to push online and in Parliament until each of these appalling laws are thrown out with the trash.”

You May Also Like

Comments are closed.