On Monday, transsexuals were lined around the block waiting for Argentina’s gender-identity law to become official. The groundbreaking new law enables people to have their sex and name changed on all official documents without having to get prior approval from a doctor or judge. Argentina is the only country worldwide that allows individuals to make changes to their official identities based solely on how they feel or what they think.
The United States along with a number of other countries, require individuals to pass requirements that experts in sexual identity say are humiliating and painful; like surgeries to change their sex or hormone therapies and visits to psychiatrists to demonstrate they suffer from gender identity disorder or a number of other abnormalities.
Argentina’s Congress approved the new gender identity legislation with a Senate vote last month of 55-0 and it took effect on Monday. A number of transsexuals wanted to take advantage of the new law the day it became effective and were waiting on Monday at the civil registry in Buenos Aires to make the necessary changes to their identities.
One transsexual, Maria Brodos said it was important to decide on your own what your identity is and not have others decide for you. Another transsexual Silvana Sosa born Miguel Sosa, proudly showed paperwork that said her new ID card was being processed.
Many people with gender identity problems face years of frustration and spending money trying to persuade judges or doctors to approve their requests so they can have legal documents in their new name. Now, Argentina allows that to be done easier, quicker and without a doctor or judges approval.
