Finnish female institutions have stated on numerous occasions that they want to avoid constantly opposing the interests of girls against those of transgender people. However, they claimed it was difficult for them to help the conservative and liberal MPs’ bill that would make it easier to change female on official records, which they fear would turn the tables on girls’ and women’s rights.
The bill, which is supported by all political parties but the Christian Democrats and the far right, aims to upgrade the 1972 laws that legalized sex change on official records. Now, the treatment – reserved for those over 18 – is the same as that required to begin a medical change. The first step is to go through a psychological analysis to get gender dysphoria treatment, which is then required by a council of professionals within the National Board of Health and Welfare.
Some trans people must rush between five and seven times before they are frequently subject to violence and abuse, such as when they must present their individuality at the post office or bank, according to Peter Sidlund, chairman of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights. With parental assent, the new laws will enable people to legally change their sex starting at age 16 and provide female self-identification more weight.
Women’s organizations expressed concern that MPs were moving too quickly, despite the fact that they recognized the value of improving trans treatment. “Knowledge on this subject is evolving, and we need to take a break to examine the outcomes,” said Clara Berglund, director-general of the Swedish Women’s Lobby, which groups along some 50 companies.
In particular, these groups are alarmed that, between 2007 and 2017, the number of women aged 13 to 17 monitored for gender dysphoria rose by 2,300% in Sweden, from 31 to 727, with a higher prevalence among adolescents with dementia or focus problems.
“Refusing gender stereotypes”
The National Board of Health and Welfare changed its recommendations in February 2022 to include a mandate for doctors to only prescribe puberty blockers to minors “in exceptional cases” in response to this largely unexplained phenomenon.
Advocacy groups claim that making sex change on official documents could cause teenage girls to start receiving treatment sometimes too hastily due to the simplified procedure. “For some, the problem is living in a society where it’s not easy to be a girl,” said Berglund. Instead of just confirming that they are boys, we should start by challenging gender stereotypes and showing them that there are different ways of being a girl.
