Spain to accept transsexuals into armed forces
Spain to accept transsexuals into armed forces
The Spanish ministry of defence has said it will reform legislation to allow transsexuals to serve in the armed forces.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/4605837/Spain-to-accept-transsexuals-into-armed-forces.html
By Fiona Govan in Madrid
Last Updated: 11:56PM GMT 12 Feb 2009
The move follows a publicised battle by a 28-year-old male transsexual who has been rejected by the army on two occasions because he does not have a penis.
The man, who has only been named as Aitor G R, was born female but underwent a mastectomy and hormone treatment several years ago in the first step of "gender reassignment". He is on a waiting list for an operation to reshape his genitals into a penis.
Although the Spanish army recruits women, Aitor G R is recognised as a man legally and was declared medically unfit by army recruiters because of his lack of male genitalia.
He was first turned away in Feb 2007 but reapplied earlier this month only to be refused again. He said it had always been his dream to join the army since playing with toy soldiers as a child.
"I want to be a soldier, not a porn star," the transsexual from Jaen told Spanish media, stating that he would appeal the decision.
Carme Chacón, Spain's minister of defence, has promised to revise legislation concerning medical reasons for exclusion from the armed forces.
A ministry spokesman said on Thursday that under the new guidelines the lack of a penis would no longer be sufficient reason for excluding a male army candidate.
The Spanish ministry of defence has said it will reform legislation to allow transsexuals to serve in the armed forces.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/4605837/Spain-to-accept-transsexuals-into-armed-forces.html
By Fiona Govan in Madrid
Last Updated: 11:56PM GMT 12 Feb 2009
The move follows a publicised battle by a 28-year-old male transsexual who has been rejected by the army on two occasions because he does not have a penis.
The man, who has only been named as Aitor G R, was born female but underwent a mastectomy and hormone treatment several years ago in the first step of "gender reassignment". He is on a waiting list for an operation to reshape his genitals into a penis.
Although the Spanish army recruits women, Aitor G R is recognised as a man legally and was declared medically unfit by army recruiters because of his lack of male genitalia.
He was first turned away in Feb 2007 but reapplied earlier this month only to be refused again. He said it had always been his dream to join the army since playing with toy soldiers as a child.
"I want to be a soldier, not a porn star," the transsexual from Jaen told Spanish media, stating that he would appeal the decision.
Carme Chacón, Spain's minister of defence, has promised to revise legislation concerning medical reasons for exclusion from the armed forces.
A ministry spokesman said on Thursday that under the new guidelines the lack of a penis would no longer be sufficient reason for excluding a male army candidate.