A recent approval of a proposed law ensuring that transgender individuals are treated equally before law according to human rights and fundamental freedoms is tremendous step forward for transgender people in Iceland. The legal status of transgender people in Iceland has been very weak compared to the legal status of transgender people in other countries Iceland compares itself with. While progressive steps have been taken with legislative improvements for the gays and lesbians, such as 2010 approval of same sex marriage, the transgender community has been pretty much invisible and left with no specific legislation on the issue in Iceland. The proposed law, which will formally be effective on Christopher Street Day, June 27th. 2012, is therefore a huge milestone for the LGBT community as a whole.
The proposed law will not only protect the basic human rights of transgender individuals but will also secure medical treatment and support which they might need. Individual diagnosed with GID (Gender Identity Disorder) will be permitted to change their name according to their new gender and guaranteed the same rights as everyone else. Transgender individuals are becoming more and more visible in the Icelandic society.
The newly approved legislation will make their voice even stronger which is very important step in tearing down walls of ignorance and fighting prejudice. Improved legislation will not automatically make things better, but it sure is a step in the right direction as has been pointed out by many, including one of Iceland´s top transgender leaders, Anna Kristjánsdóttir, in a recent interview in The Reykjavik Grapevine.
