Reykjavík Grapevine - 21.06.2019, Side 13

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13 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 10— 2019
“The goal we set out
with to begin with
is not yet reached
and it will not be
reached until
intersex people
are given bodily
integrity.”
Iceland’s Parliament passed a
new law on June 19th that greatly
expands the rights of trans people,
including those who are non-
binary. While the changes made
were celebrated by some of the
leading figures in Iceland’s trans
community, they also pointed out
that there is still a long ways to
go, especially when it comes to the
rights of intersex people.
What’s in the law
Up until this point, trans people
in Iceland have had to endure a
lengthy diagnostic process, involv-
ing multiple interviews over a
series of months or longer, in order
to change their legally registered
gender and get access to health care
specific to trans people. Further,
there has been no third gender
option for non-binary people.
That has now changed with the
passage of this law, as it institutes
an informed consent model, a
much shorter
pro c e s s for
many trans
people to get
t h e m e d i -
cal resources
t h e y n e e d ,
and also adds
a third gender
option—X—to
the National
Registry. In
a d d i t i o n ,
those under
the age of 18
c a n c h a n g e
their registered gender with the
confirmation of a parent or legal
guardian.
What’s missing
Nonetheless, leading trans figures
in Iceland who were a part of the
crafting of the original bill have
pointed out shortcomings and
areas that are still in dire need of
improvement.
In the form of a bill, this legis-
lation originally sought to ensure
protections for intersex children;
specifically, to forbid the practice of
performing unnecessary cosmetic
surgery on the genitalia of intersex
infants. Those protections did not
make it into the final legislation.
Instead, the law outlines the estab-
lishment of a special committee
which will be tasked with research-
ing a new law specifically for inter-
sex adults and children, with their
findings due in 12 months’ time.
“The fight is far from
over.”
Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir
Jónsdóttir, a
trans activist
and chairper-
son of Trans
Í s l a n d , h a s
been involved
in the crafting
of this legis-
lation from
t h e b e g i n -
n i n g . T h e y
responded to
the new law
in a lengthy
post on Face-
book about the
matter.
“While it’s definitely worth
noting this important step, the
goal we set out with to begin with
is not yet reached and it will not be
reached until intersex people are
given bodily integrity,” they wrote
in part. “The fight is therefore far
from over.”
Alda Villiljós, a photographer
and genderqueer activist, described
the new law as “bittersweet” on
multiple fronts, saying in part, “It’s
a huge leap forward for trans people
but intersex folks are being thrown
under the bus, so celebrating feels a
bit off.”
“There are still so many issues
facing our community and we
must strive towards full equality
for everyone, regardless of sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender
expression or sex characteristics,”
Ugla concludes. “None of us are
truly free until we are all free.”
Iceland Passes Major
Gender Identity Law
“The Fight Is Far From Over”
Words: Andie Fontaine Photos: Alísa Kalyanova
The trans flag flies high at Reykjavík Pride