Sex change ops under review in Sweden

Published: 30 Jul 09 10:19 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/20996/20090730/

Dictionary tool Double click on a word to get a translation

The Swedish Board for Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) has launched a review of the healthcare alternatives available to transsexuals seeking to change gender.

Organizations representing gay, bisexual and transsexual people have long argued that often inconsistent healthcare services do not cater fully to their needs.

Criticism has centred on issues such as the long delays in the sex reassignment process with variations of up to several years depending on locality.

There are also significant differences in price for various operations and procedures among the county health authorities and inconsistencies in how much the transsexuals themselves have to contribute.

"The hope is that we shall offer healthcare for this group which is of high quality and which is consistent across the country, and that it should improve the quality of life for transsexual people," Håkan Ceder at the board said to Sveriges Radio (SR).

According to legislation passed in 1972, to undergo a sex change operation a person must be over 18-years-old, a Swedish citizen, be sterilized and unmarried.

In order to establish a persons gender a psychiatric examination must have been completed before an application can be submitted to the Health and Welfare Board's legal council for confirmation.

Following the confirmation of a new gender the transsexual person is issued with a new personal identification number (personnummer) and are then able to elect to undergo sex reassignment surgery.

The number of people applying for sex reassignment surgery is increasing.

For thirty years it averaged at about 12-15 people per year until 2003, when it climbed to around 25 per year, according to the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL).

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This Facebook  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

11:26 July 30, 2009 by Hermlover
There are actually FAR more than 25 people per year seeking sex reassignment in Sweden. As usual the medical establishment has a vested interest in making certain 'conditions' appear rare so as not to alarm the general population. There are too many things wrong with the Swedish system to even begin here, but begin I will. WHY is involuntary sterilization mandatory? Is transsexualism something that could be genetic and so must be abolished? How many other groups in society are told they must be sterilized to get medical treatment. How would lesbians and gays feel if that was a condition of their acceptance in society? Something to ponder....
11:59 July 30, 2009 by byke
An interesting article,

What defines a persons sex? DNA structure? Hormonal structure?

or is it just as superficial as a set of boobs and a deposit hole?

I wonder if any male was "unlucky" - (if he morally didnt agree with transgenders) to come across a man disguised as a women (snipped n boobed) and was then say to enter a relationship with such person while unaware of "its" previous history.

Could that male that falsely enters into a relationship with a transgendered sue the state for fraud?

As if the state offers new sexual identities to males who have surgery.

Are they not aiding and abetting fraud?

I am by no means unsympathetic to these issues, however I really am starting to question if it really as simple as adding a hole and boobs and pop a few pills to become a chick ?
12:29 July 30, 2009 by Nemesis
For facts on what transsexualism really is take a look at this link, which tells what causes transsexualism.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v378/n6552/pdf/378068a0.pdf

It is wrongly classed as a mental disorder. Transsexualism starts in the womb, due to pre-natal neuro developmental going in the wrong direction in the brain.

Transsexual people quite often end up in clinics as children, because of this, contrary to the sexual nonsense that is commonly in the media and porn magazines.

As a previous poster has stated, why is there a requirement for sterilisation? The only reason for that is because the psychiatrists are in full knowledge, it is genetic and not psychiatrict.

Regarding Byke's statements. That is complete and utter bigotry. It is straight out of press release's posted by the catholic church in the last 2 months. The origins of Byke's comments are,

http://catholicexchange.com/2009/06/25/119728/
12:52 July 30, 2009 by byke
@ Nemesis

I am by no means a bigot, nor a religious person.

If you cant accept the simplest of questions regarding science and definition of human sexuality then you obviously have no value in commenting on this.

By the way, go and buy a dictionary and learn what the word Bigotry means before spewing such false hatred statements.
13:06 July 30, 2009 by Brenda Lana Smith R Af D
While equal human rights of gender-variant folk who prefer nor or are unable to avail themselves genital reassignment surgery who present as opposite to their registered at birth gender need be fully enshrined in law. Unless Sweden wants rubber stamp the like of Britain' dog's breakfast Gender Recognition Act 2004—that affords questionable validity within and none outside Britain. Particularly not British Overseas Territories—to the chagrin this pragmatic 76-year-old post-operative male-to-female transsexual Bermudian exile who has long advocated that to be legally recognised as opposite to one's registered at birth gender it is lawyerly practical and culturally more digestible that such candidates be medically certified no longer biologically reproductive. Ergo, Sweden, stick with your present legislation...
13:15 July 30, 2009 by byke
So lets say I feel like I am a young person inside a body that I conceder looks older than I feel.

So I go off and get some cosmetic surgery, and now look 20 years younger.

Can I now change my original date of birth to represent the true person who I feel I am ?

And be recognized by the state as a well hung, buff 24 year old.

Rather than a fat 44 year old that I may have been a few weeks previously?
13:37 July 30, 2009 by Nemesis
Byke

I have a very good dictionary. Your questions read as though they are designed to be offensive.

Transsexualism is nothing to do with sexuality. It starts pre-natally and children with transsexualism usually end up in clinics. Sexuality does not kick in until puberty and it is inappropiate to use sexuality references specifically for transsexualism.

If you do actually want to educate yourself then this is as good a starting point as any, http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TS/TS-III.html as is the link to the publication in Nature, in my previous message, which explains exactly what causes transsexualism.

This link will let you know just how diverse human development really is.

http://bms.brown.edu/faculty/f/afs/Articles/Blackless2000.pdf
19:38 July 30, 2009 by I Love it when ...
thats sucks for the people wanting to get sex changes

doesn't the swedish board of health & welfare , have better things to do
20:28 July 30, 2009 by byke
@ Nemesis

"I have a very good dictionary"

I think what you are meaning to say is that you feel you have a good VOCABULARY LOL. I am not going to knit pick on words, but it appears evident that English is not your first language.

In regards to your links, AGAIN my original process of questions was to understand what defines a male from a scientific perspective and not that of the issues that "Tranys" are faced with. And should authorities allow personal identification information to be altered due to manipulation based generally on cosmetic surgery ?

If I bought what I thought was an Orange, and the shop sign said "Orange".

Then I expect an Orange, and not a kiwi disguised with the peel of an Orange.

(no matter what issues the Orange felt it was)

It would be illegal to sell a so called Orange in this sense as it would be considered fraudulent.
23:16 July 30, 2009 by Nemesis
Byke,

The nature publication is science. Nature is one of the world's premier scientific journals. It does not print persepectives, only facts.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v378/n6552/pdf/378068a0.pdf
04:30 July 31, 2009 by Hedley
Nature is not "science" is journal that publish science, so anyone can rebate it (I can not rebate it, but science works so!).

However, transsexuals may feel more comfortable if they are do a REALLY RISKY OPERATION (ultra-expensive and with high risk of infection), and with careful postoperative controls.

Spend money in such operations could be less profitable that spend in ULTRA HIGH QUALITY PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT (Oh! also needed to be operated).

That is not so easy that just put a couple of boobies and a magic hole!
08:47 July 31, 2009 by Nemesis
I have just noticed something very strange about this article.

The journalist who does not put there name to the article, quotes RFSL, a homosexual and transvestite organisation.

I have done a quick check and the appropiate organisation to have asked for a quote would have been the Swedish organisation foreningen benjamin. http://www.foreningenbenjamin.se/

Foreningen benjamin was the organisation that was the organisation consulted by Socialstyrelsen over proposed rule changes, not RFSL.

Some quick fact checking by the Local would have quickly uncovered that, particulary considering that foreningen benjamin is the primary contact for transsexual issues in Sweden. A basic google search can pop that up, instantly.

Maybe the journalist who wrote the article, could explain why they did not contact the group directly involved and instead contacted a group which tries to lump them in with transvestities?
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Three arrested for killing of Swedish soldiers

Three arrested for killing of Swedish soldiers

Three men have been arrested in Afghanistan on suspicion of being connected to the the death of Swedish soldiers Johan Palmlöv and Gunnar Andersson near Mazar-e Sharif on Sunday. READ (7 COMMENTS) »

Parental 'child sick leave' peaks in February

Each February, Swedish parents take an estimated 600,000 paid leave days to take care of sick children, according to new Social Insurance Agency statistics. READ »

'Only good foreign soldier on Afghan soil is a dead one': Jan Myrdal

'Only good foreign soldier on Afghan soil is a dead one': Myrdal

Swedish author and anti-war activist Jan Myrdal has sparked outrage following a public lecture in which he appeared to welcome the killing of Swedish, US and other soldiers. READ »

Sharp increase in asylum seeker deportations

Sharp increase in asylum seeker deportations

The number of asylum seekers deported from Sweden rose by 1,300 during 2009, according to new figures from the Swedish Migration Agency. READ »

Dental service probed as girl dies after toothache

The Swedish Welfare Board is set to investigate the Swedish Public Dental Service after a nine-year-old girl died following repeated visits to the dentist complaining of toothache and an abscess. READ »

Ingrid, 79, declared dead by Swedish tax authorities

79-year-old Ingrid Ståhl of Malmö in southern Sweden found out to her surprise that she had been registered as dead after a mistake by the Swedish Tax Agency. READ (8 COMMENTS) »

Söderling claims comeback win

Söderling claims comeback win

Swedish tennis star Robin Söderling showed no signs of the elbow complaint which knocked him out of the Australian Open, firing 26 aces to earn a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over Frenchman Florent Serra on Monday in the Rotterdam Open. READ »

Man shot on Stockholm street

A 29-year-old man was shot on Södermalm in Stockholm on Monday night. He was hit in the leg and in the shoulder, but was able to call an ambulance. No one has been arrested as the man refuses to talk to the police. READ (1 COMMENT) »

More National

Blog Update: Style in Sweden

09 February 14:19

Stockholm Fashion Week. Part Två. »

"Sorry for the late Stockholm fashion week update but I am in the north of Sweden and internet is not working very well. Anyway, I think Minimarket presented as usual the most interesting collection at fashion week. I am obviously not the only one who loves the clean and comic-like style of Minimarket as the..." READ »

Poll

Are you interested in subletting your apartment in Sweden within the next two years?

   

View Results
Highlights
Photo: Tommy Andersson/Scanpix
SPORT »
Biathlete Helena Jonsson gunning for gold as Swedes set sights on ten Vancouver medals
Two year wait for Stockholm flat: report
NATIONAL »
Two year wait for Stockholm flat: report
Photo: www.finest.se
GALLERY »
The weekend's 'finest': February 5-7
Photo: Siri Ambjörnsson
SOCIETY »
Finding your inner Agnetha: The camp turning out a new wave of Swedish rock mums
Photo: www.stureplan.se
GALLERY »
Midweek revellers: February 3-4
Photo: Cathy Yeulet
LIFESTYLE »
February in Sweden: No sex please, we're cold
Photo: Billy Talent by Dustin Rubin
LIFESTYLE »
What's On in Sweden: February 4th - 11th Billy Talent, Bodypoppers, Bob Marley tribute.
Photo: Roland Karlsson
OPINION »
Profile: Sweden's new Minister for EU Affairs, Birgitta Ohlsson: A colourful politician with feminist credentials and lofty ambitions.
Photo: Piteå Kommun
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Swedish Rail Destinations with SJ: Piteå is best known as a summer destination, but wintertime offers skating across the ice in the Gulf of Botnia and cosy dinners in the pretty town centre.
Latest news from The Local in Germany
Blog
  • 5 questions for Diana Orving
    Diana Orving’s line consists of organic yet edgy fashion. The garments are delicate and luxurious. Both structured and deconstructed elements coexist in many of her pieces and produce a surprising...
  • 5 questions for The Local Firm
    The Local Firm is a young independent label created by Richard Hutchinson and Axel Nyhage that is based in Stockholm. The label has a reputation for a refreshing viewpoint on fashion. Drawing...
  • 5 questions for Kerstin Ekman
    Swedish author Kerstin Ekman started writing detective novels, then moved on to more psychological and social themes. In September 2009 she released her latest novel Mordets praktik. Sweden.se asked...
  • The Swedish Model in practice
    The term “Swedish Model” is used to describe the fact that the Swedish society is based on a high degree of public financing. Let’s find out what this means in practice by following a regular...
Essentials

Jobs - in Sweden, in English
Get your career on track with our job listings from Sweden's top employers.

Property - renting or buying in Sweden
Navigating the minefield of renting or buying an apartment or house in Sweden.

Weather
"There is no bad weather, just bad clothes," say the Swedes. Here's the forecast for everyone else.

Introducing...
Every week The Local serves up a spicy helping of Swedish celebrity for your delectation.

Stockholm Syndrome
Tales of crazy Swedish classes, hamfisted attempts to understand - and explain - real Swedes, and varied experiences of fellow foreigners gathered for your amusement.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

Jobs in Sweden, in English

124 jobs in Sweden, in English
53 new jobs this week
20 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Jobs
Expatriate in Stockholm?
We offer services for foreigners who've recently moved or are planning to move to Stockholm. Corresponding with local authorities, organizing your home, seeking childcare and domestic help, plus more.
MORE INFO
Folk High Schools in Sweden
The Swedish Folk High Schools have courses that give you the possibility to bring out all your colors!
www.folkhogskola.nu
Visiting Stockholm?
Then you'll find The Local's new Stockholm Section useful. Find pics, guides, news and lots of useful information about Stockholm.
www.thelocal.se/stockholm
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Welcome to Adlon Hotel in Stockholm
A perfect location both for business and pleasure. Centrally located, with atmosphere.
www.adlon.se
Winter archipelago tours
Visit Stockholm's beautiful archipelago. Great boat tours for all preferences.
MORE INFORMATION
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English

David Schultz PsyD
Individuals & couples
In Stockholm in person or by phone or video conferencing
www.anxiousorblue.se
Play football in Stockholm
Kick-off the new football season with LFC, Stockholm's premier English-speaking football club.
MORE INFO
JOB: Trainee Sales Executives
Midfield Media, a leading provider of events and executive forums, is seeking Trainee Sales Executives
FULL JOB DETAILS
Enjoy a beautiful winter weekend in Västervik
Treat yourself with a calm and relaxing weekend in beautiful archipelago surroundings
MORE INFORMATION
JOB: Copy editor and English speaking project manager/editor
Tidningskompaniet, one of Sweden's leading agencies for custom publishing, seeks two new employees in Stockholm and Göteborg
FULL JOB DETAILS
Counseling in English Individuals & Couples - Stockholm
Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now