Trans Justice Fights Trans Moral Panic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17561/tahrj.v18.7023Keywords:
Moral crusades, trans equality, gender-identity self-recognition, moral panics, cultural warsAbstract
Between the summer of 2019 and the summer of 2021, a violent discussion about trans rights took place in Spain. This paper argues that the discussion can be understood as an instance of ‘social problems work’, more specifically as part of a moral crusade or a moral panic episode. Implicit in this is the idea that there has been an over-reaction to trans recognition and trans equality laws, publicly presented as a major social problem. This paper also provides legal arguments against the fears voiced in the discussion, by summarizing relevant ECHR case-law that agrees with an alternative feminist account of trans rights that de-pathologizes gender-identity self-determination. The paper thus suggests that a ‘cultural war’ over gender identity has been ignited and has yet to be fully fought and won.
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European Court of Human Rights (2002), Ch. Goodwin v. The United Kingdom, Ap. Nº 28957/95.
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European Court of Human Rights (2017), A.P. Garçon and Nicot v. France, Ap. Nºs 79885/12, 52471/13 and 52596/13.
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SPANISH LEGISLATION AND DRAFTS
Ley 3/2007 de 15 de Marzo, reguladora de la rectificación registral de la mención relativa al sexo. (Law 3/2007 of March 15th, regulating modification of sex registration.)
Boletín oficial de la Cortes Generales. Congreso de los Diputados. Serie B. Proposiciones de Ley, 3 de Marzo de 2017, núm. 91-1, Proposición de ley 122/000072 Proposición de Ley para la reforma de la Ley 3/2007, de 15 de marzo, reguladora de la rectificación registral de la mención relativa al sexo de las personas, para permitir la rectificación registral de la mención relativa al sexo y nombre de los menores transexuales y/o trans, para modificar exigencias establecidas en el artículo 4 respecto al registro del cambio de sexo, y para posibilitar medidas para mejorar la integración de las personas extranjeras residentes en España. Presentada por el Grupo Parlamentario Socialista. (Oficial bulletin Parliament, Act Proposition March 3rd, 2017, num. 91-1 to amend Law 3/2007, of March 15th, regulating modification of public registered sex, to allow modifications regarding sex and name of trans minors, modifying article 4 requirements regarding registered sex modification and to adopt measures facilitating the integration of migrants residing in Spain. Presented by the Socialist Parliamentary Group).
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