Each person is assigned sex at birth, whether female or male, based on anatomical features and external genitals. In most cases, the individual also identifies with this ascribed sex (cisgender identity). In some cases, however, there is a mismatch between ascribed gender and gender identity, which means that the body does not match the gender that the person feels as theirs (transgender). Some transgender individuals opt for legal and/or medical gender confirmation. Legal gender confirmation involves change of personal name and official documents, while medical certification includes hormone therapy and/or surgery. As it is a sensitive but important area, the legislation must be regulated in a way that it does not violate human rights, but at the same time guarantees a quality life for all citizens. After reviewing the legal regulation of the existing legislation applying to transgender persons in Republic of Slovenia, I found that it violates many human rights. A transgender person who wants to legally and/or medically confirm their gender must first obtain a diagnosis of transsexuality, defined as a mental disorder, which reinforces the stigma that accompanies transgender people. At the same time, existing legislation reproduces the gender binary, as it does not recognize gender identities that go beyond it. In the second part, I interviewed a person who legally and medically confirmed their gender identity. Their experience confirms the assumption that gender identity is important to a transgender person. In addition, I have carried out an analysis of legislative deficiencies.
|
