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Portugal's president vetoes legal gender change law Portugal's president vetoes new gender-change law
(about 7 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 have made it easier for people to change their gender and name in documents.
The law was approved by parliament last month, but needed to be signed by the president to take effect. The law, approved by parliament last month, would have allowed citizens to make the legal changes from the age of 16 without the need of a medical test.
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. Currently, people must be at least 18 years old and present a medical report.
Mr Rebelo de Sousa asked parliament to consider raising the minimum age to 18. The president told MPs to consider the need of a medical test for those under the age of 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".
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.
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. The law needs to be signed by the president to take effect.
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. What happens now?
Activists welcomed the "groundbreaking" law, saying it respected the right of self-determination. Parliament can either amend the law in line with the president's suggestions or confirm the current legislation with the approval of an absolute majority of MPs. In this case, the president would be obliged to sign it into law.
But critics opposed allowing changes without a medical report and lowering the minimum age. Mr Rebelo de Sousa 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).
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 at an early stage.
What has the reaction been?
Lawmakers celebrated with a standing ovation when the legislation was approved on 13 April by 109 votes in the country's 230-seat parliament.
Activists welcomed the "groundbreaking" law, saying it respected the right of self-determination. Isabel Moreira, an MP from the Socialist Party, called the vote a "historic day".
But critics opposed allowing changes without a medical report and lowering the minimum age. Vânia Dias da Silva, from the right-wing party CDS-PP, said: "[Those who are] 16 years old can't marry, drink or drive, so they shouldn't be able to make a decision with such definite and serious consequences."
Citing those divergences, Mr Rebelo de Sousa said the changes being introduced were "far from being a consent" among politicians and society.
What's the legislation across Europe?
Only five other European countries have a model based on self-determination, according to ILGA-Europe, an LGBT rights advocacy group: Malta, Norway, Denmark, Ireland and Belgium.
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.