Transsexuals can change sex without surgery 08/11/2006 00:00

8 November 2006

MADRID — Transsexuals are to be given the right to change their gender without having to undergo surgery.

The Law of Gender,  passed by a congressional justice committee, gives the country's 7,000 transsexuals the right to switch gender on paper.

They will be able to choose their sex without having to go through the current long-winded process of surgery and legal moves.

The law, due to come into action in January, is backed by the ruling socialist group and left-wing parties as well as gay, lesbian and transsexuals groups.

But conservatives oppose the law, claiming it raises legal questions about a person's real gender.

Benigno Blanco, head of the Family Forum, said: "Sex would cease to be something that defines someone, but rather something which can be changed on paper at will."

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news