On the 7th of August, Portugal had a new law, regarding gender identity, published. It concerns the right to gender identity’s and gender expression’s self-determination and also the protection of each person’s sexual characteristics.

The main changes this new law brings are the following:

– Trans portuguese adults are now able to change their documentation solely base on their self-determination, with no need for medical reports.

– Persons between 16 and 18 can now change their documentation through their legal representatives. For this, they need a medical report that asserts their decision ability and their informed willness.

– Intersex persons (including babies and children) have now the right to the protection of their sexual characteristics, so they should not be subject to medical interventions that aim for body changes, unless in a health risk situation.

– Intersex persons are now able to change their documentation solely base on their self-determination.

Of the amendments provided for in the first law’s draft, the possibility of self-determination of persons between the ages of 16 and 18 remains unfulfilled.