From an International Trans Depathologization Network Press Release
On Saturday, October 17th 2009, demonstrations and other actions will take place in 38 cities in Europe, Latin America, North America and Asia, to support the campaign Stop Trans Pathologization STP 2012, which was initiated by the International Trans Depathologization Network. To date 181 groups from 40 countries in different world regions and 7 international networks declared their support of the campaign.
The principal demand of the campaign is the removal of Gender Identity Disorders from the international diagnostic catalogues ( DSM-IV y ICD-10 ) . We consider that the classification of transsexuality as mental disorder fosters the risk of transphobia and social exclusion of trans persons all over the world. The necessity of compulsory diagnosis, hormonal and surgical modifications which is present in many of the existent laws, attacks the human rights regarding body integrity and free expression of gender identities, rights which are named in recent international declarations like the Yogyakarta Principles ( 2007 ) or the recommendations of the Commissioner of Human Rights of the Council of Europe Thomas Hammarberg ( 2009 ) . In this sense, we consider the depathologization of transsexuality as a first indispensable step for a full recognition of trans persons' human rights.
At the same time, the International Trans Depathologization Network is aware of the importance of guaranteeing trans persons health rights. Therefore, within its objectives the demand of free access to hormonal and surgical interventions without the necessity of psychiatric authorization for those persons, who wish to use them as well as its coverage by Public Health Systems is included. To guarantee these health rights, the International Trans Depathologization Network supports a non-pathologizing mention in the ICD as long as this mention does not signify a reclassification of transsexuality as a mental, organic or neurological disease. The justification of trans persons' health rights should not be based on a pathologizing definition of trans identities, but take into account the characteristics of a highly binary society in which the experience of transphobia and social pressure can lead to the need of corporal modification. We question the current binary gender order in the actual society, in which a man with scars continues to be more accepted than a man with breasts.
In this sense, we demand medical treatment as a free option for trans people, without the need of compulsory psychiatric diagnosis, hormonal or surgical interventions in order to realize a change in the name or sex register.
Like the years before, this year on October 17th 2009 we will demonstrate for the depathologization of transsexuality, making a call to all governments, international bodies and the general society to support the demand of the removal of the Gender Identity Disorders of the DSM-IV or ICD-10.
International Trans Depathologization Network
www.stp2012.wordpress.com