The Polish President just shattered the hopes of trans people in his country
The hopes of trans people in Poland may have been shattered as the President has vetoed a bill for gender recognition.
The Gender Accordance Act has been vetoed by Polish President Andrzej Duda.
It had been hailed as the country’s first gender recognition legislation.
The legislation would have brought Poland in line with the Council of Europe standards, and would have allowed any Polish citizen to legally change their gender with two expert opinions.
The standards of the Council of Europe state that all member states rid themselves of abusive requirements such as forced sterilisation or medical intervention.
It states that change of name and legal gender should be easily accessible to trans people.
The Gender Accordance Act had previously been approved by Poland’s Parliament with a large majority.
252 MPs voted for, with 158 against, and 11 abstained.
Sirpa Pietikainen MEP, Vice-President of the Intergroup on LGBTI Rights, reacted: “We are extremely shocked and disappointed by the President’s decision to veto the bill.”
“His veto demonstrates his unwillingness to recognise trans people, and showing his disrespect for human rights as a whole.”
Ian Duncan MEP, Vice-President of the Intergroup on LGBTI Rights, reacted: “It is disappointing that a bill which has been so carefully prepared by Parliamentarians and civil society over the last three years, and received such wide support in Parliament, has been vetoed.”
“I hope that the parliament can secure another opportunity to consider this bill in the near future.”
The Polish Parliament can only overturn the President’s veto with a 3/5 majority.
