Glasnik Advokatske komore Vojvodine (Jan 2020)
Depathologization of the trans identity
Abstract
The subject of the paper is the analysis of the current world trends of the depathologization of the trans identity. This is one of the essential ways of protecting the human rights of persons of that identity status. The discrimination and stigma associated with trans and gender-diverse people is still real and a major problem around the world. They are part of a structural model of permanent oppression that deprives trans people of their basic human rights, that is based on the concept of seeing trans identity as a disease. One of the necessary steps taken in some countries in Europe and the world to affirm the trans identity, is the issuance of personal identity documents without the need for surgery or medical diagnosis. Also, the classification of trans healthcare models is being transformed from a psychiatric assessment model to an approach based on information, counselling and informed decision making. In Serbia, legal regulation regarding the trans identity is necessary for further depathologization. A law on Gender Identity and the Rights of Intersex Persons, based on the principles of depathologization and self-determination, is required.
