Argentina charts new territory with gender-identity law

By Eilee Heikenen-Weiss
Transgendered people wait outside Argentina’s Congress for the approval of the Gender Identity Law. The law, which allows citizens to change their gender in public records, was approved last week.
Transgendered people wait outside Argentina’s Congress for the approval of the Gender Identity Law. The law, which allows citizens to change their gender in public records, was approved last week. AP/Natacha Pisarenko
Transgendered people wait outside Argentina’s Congress for the approval of the Gender Identity Law. The law, which allows citizens to change their gender in public records, was approved last week.
Transgendered people wait outside Argentina’s Congress for the approval of the Gender Identity Law. The law, which allows citizens to change their gender in public records, was approved last week. AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Argentina charts new territory with gender-identity law

By Eilee Heikenen-Weiss
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Transgendered people wait outside Argentina’s Congress for the approval of the Gender Identity Law. The law, which allows citizens to change their gender in public records, was approved last week. (AP/Natacha Pisarenko)

Argentina’s new gender identity law went into effect this week. Said to be the first of its kind, it allows individuals to legally change their gender without any kind of medical endorsement or procedure. It also requires public and private health care plans to cover sex-change surgery or hormone therapy.

Argentina has been a trailblazer of sorts when it comes to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. In 2010, the country legalized gay marriage. Since then, Buenos Aires has gained popularity as a LGBT tourist destination.

Thursday on Worldview, the Associated Press’ Michael Warren will explain the social and political circumstances that made the passage of the law possible.