ARGENTINA: Congress mulls law expanding transgender rights

Record ID: 334953

  • Title: ARGENTINA: Congress mulls law expanding transgender rights
  • Date: 13th November 2010
  • Summary: LAWMAKERS AND SOCIAL LEADERS WITH GAY, LESBIAN AND TRANSSEXUAL ACTIVISTS VARIOUS OF MARCH
  • Embargoed: 28th November 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Argentina
  • Country: Argentina
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8Y4KALURG2ALTF07OFAAUMHLS
  • Story Text: Argentina's Congress began debating on Thursday (November 11) a bill called the Law of Gender Identity that would offer increased civil rights protection to transgender and transsexual individuals.
    Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) activists have lobbied for the bill which would allow individuals to change their gender on legal documents, and make it easier for same-sex or transsexual couples to adopt children. They also feel the bill will help to ease the stigma associated with being transgender --- many in Argentina have likened it to a 'disease.' Activist Claudia Puccini said Thursday's debate is an important step.
    "I think that this law would be the protection we need for our identities to be respected in Argentina," she said.
    The bill was first proposed in 2007 but has yet to pass the Senate.
    Argentina is a leader on gay, lesbian and transsexual rights in Latin America. In 2002, it became the first Latin American country to allow same-sex civil unions and, in July of 2 2010, it became the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriages.
    Despite progressive laws involving LGBT, many in the community feel they still battle negative stigma and outdated laws. Activists say that, through the Law of Gender Identity, they seek to decriminalize and destigmatize the plight of transgendered people.
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