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Moderates backpedal on sex change law

Published: 4 Sep 11 10:05 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/35940/20110904/

Sweden has taken further steps towards changing the law on gender reassignment. The governing Moderates have now taken a stand against the disputed law, and its demands of sterilisation and divorce.

The party board is now suggesting that the more than 40 year-old law be scrapped.

"We don't see it as modern, and it doesn't fit with our view of human beings," said party secretary Sofia Arkelsten to the TT news agency.

Today, those who wish to undergo a sex change operation must first sterilise themselves. They must also, if married, first get divorced.

"There's no point in making people get divorced and then get married again," said Arkelsten.

The National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) suggested last year that the law be changed, and a large majority of the Riksdag support this.

Now that the Moderate Party has taken a stand in favour, the probability of a law change is increased further.

Not everyone is in favour, however. The far-right Sweden Democrats are against it, and only this June, Göran Hägglund, the Christian Democrats' party head, also said no to changing the law.

"At our party congress this summer, Maria Larsson [minister for children and elderly] was clear that we stand by the sterilisation demand. We've decided to investigate the question, and that's where we are right now," said Annika Eclund, MP and the Christian Democrats' spokeswoman on HBT issues.

TT/The Local/cg (news@thelocal.se)

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11:56 September 4, 2011 by foordranata
I'm quite sure the great aliens up the heavens do not give a f**ck about sex-change.

I am an alien.
13:01 September 4, 2011 by zircon
And what about satyrs?
13:16 September 4, 2011 by J. L. Belmar
Is Ulrika Messing involved? If so, be careful.
16:44 September 4, 2011 by zircon
The heavens can be so melancholy at dusk in the 'dog' asylum for satyrs... This is because they dream of fresh and high fern, outgrowing bits from an old castle/ ruin or citadel.
17:04 September 4, 2011 by jamesblish
Don't forget sphinxes.
17:10 September 4, 2011 by J. L. Belmar
Like the one in the photo?
04:06 September 5, 2011 by sjuttiosjusköterskorpåsjukhuset
It's the principle of the law that is in question, not transgendered persons. A democratic government has no business forcing people to be sterilised and forcing people to get a divorce. Doing so is more indicative of Nazi Germany, not a democracy like Sweden. It's no wonder that the fascistic Sweden Democrats and the ultra-conservative Christian Democrats are all in favour of keeping this law intact. Since when did these parties ever support democracy anyway?
09:09 September 5, 2011 by d'Artagnan
04:06 September 5, 2011 by "SjuskitigasjömänsköljdesinasjuskitigaskjortorIdenskitigasjön"

Riposte

Of course that it is the principle of the law that is in question and not transgendered persons, but, if you are talking about a democratic government having no business forcing, etc, etc, then you are talking about another country and not about Sweden, which seems to be a totalitarian government with a dictator who dictates with the name of Fredrik.
11:21 September 5, 2011 by sjuttiosjusköterskorpåsjukhuset
This is not the Sweden I knew of from the mid to late 1970s. I agree with you, Sweden today is a totalitarian state. My sympathies are with the transgendered persons and other sexual minorities. It was a transgendered person--the only person--who helped me from being homeless after being thrown out of the house when I was 17. People out here should not be so cold: We are all human beings, even the transgendered.
17:37 September 7, 2011 by SockRayBlue
I've watched this trend for many ears and for the life of me I still can't understand why people feel that they were born the wrong sex when one only has to look in the mirror or even grope oneself in the dark to realize their sex. The other oddity is that government has taken it on itself to make laws regarding this social malady. Why does society have to pander to the whims of the socially silly and quite confused idiots that dwell among us? Let them wander among the other fruits and nuts in the forest.
04:39 September 11, 2011 by MichaelZWilliamson
SockRayBlue: They don't "Feel" they were born wrong. They are genetically wrong. The cosmetic body does not match the chromosome makeup. Apparently, while you've "Watched" the trend, you haven't actually studied it. And how is deciding not to force people to be sterilized "pandering" to them?
10:37 September 23, 2011 by jinxy
Sweden to Swaziland ! , life on this planet is a gift , a one time gift , remember ?

Let us hope fellow humans of any race or gender will have enough self respect

to be able to show respect for all others within a tolerant as well as a "law-abiding"

democratic society. Sound Utopian ? ... so be it .
18:06 December 12, 2011 by skjuwel
I'm impressed, I have to say. Very seldom do I see a blog thats both educational and entertaining, and let me tell you, you've hit the nail on the head. Your blog is important; the matter is something that not a lot of people are talking intelligently about. I'm really happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to it.You can see my website http://www.simplidental.com for Free RX Card for dental.
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