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| Portugal's president vetoes legal gender change law | Portugal's president vetoes legal gender change law |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has vetoed a law that would make it easier for people to change their legal gender. | Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has vetoed a law that would make it easier for people to change their legal gender. |
| The law was approved by parliament last month, but needed to be signed by the president to take effect. | The law was approved by parliament last month, but needed to be signed by the president to take effect. |
| It would have allowed citizens to change their gender and name in documents from the age of 16 without the need for a medical report. | It would have allowed citizens to change their gender and name in documents from the age of 16 without the need for a medical report. |
| Mr Rebelo de Sousa asked parliament to consider raising the minimum age to 18. | Mr Rebelo de Sousa asked parliament to consider raising the minimum age to 18. |
| In a statement posted on the presidential website (in Portuguese), he called for "the provision of prior medical evaluation for citizens under 18 years of age". | In a statement posted on the presidential website (in Portuguese), he called for "the provision of prior medical evaluation for citizens under 18 years of age". |
| Explaining his decision, he said that if there is a possibility that the individual will undergo gender reassignment surgery in future then it would be "sensible" to seek a medical opinion. | |
| Parliament can now amend the law in line with the president's suggestions. | Parliament can now amend the law in line with the president's suggestions. |
| Under the proposed law, those aged between 16 and 18 would need to have the change of gender approved by their parents or legal representatives. | Under the proposed law, those aged between 16 and 18 would need to have the change of gender approved by their parents or legal representatives. |
| Currently, those wanting to change their gender on official documents have to present a medical report and be at least 18 years old. | Currently, those wanting to change their gender on official documents have to present a medical report and be at least 18 years old. |
| The new law was approved on 13 April by 109 votes in the country's 230-seat parliament, and lawmakers celebrated with a standing ovation. | The new law was approved on 13 April by 109 votes in the country's 230-seat parliament, and lawmakers celebrated with a standing ovation. |
| Activists welcomed the "groundbreaking" law, saying it respected the right of self-determination. | Activists welcomed the "groundbreaking" law, saying it respected the right of self-determination. |
| But critics opposed allowing changes without a medical report and lowering the minimum age. | But critics opposed allowing changes without a medical report and lowering the minimum age. |
| In the UK, individuals need to be 18 years old to require a legal change of their gender, a process that can take up to five years and requires a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a psychiatrist. | In the UK, individuals need to be 18 years old to require a legal change of their gender, a process that can take up to five years and requires a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a psychiatrist. |