Gender change in Mexico's Federal District gets easier

Guadalajara -
Leftist majorities which control Mexico City's local legislature easily passed a bill today which will simplify the process of officially changing or registering one's gender in the Federal District, the first legislation of its kind in the nation.

By a vote of 42-0, with six abstentions, the full assembly eliminated the requirement of a judicial proceeding in favor of a simple administrative process.

The measure was advanced by the far left Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) and the Workers' Party (PT), although it enjoyed the support of the center left Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which holds Mexico's presidency.

Center right deputies of the National Action Party (PAN) were mainly opposed.

Before the floor vote the District's Committee on Vulnerable Groups reported out the bill favorably, arguing that it "guarantees to all the right of recognition of his or her gender before Civil Registry officials."

The Committee's chair told legislators that "in place of a judicial proceeding there will be an administrative one, where applicants can stop by the Registry with photo ID and make the change in minutes, with a minimal cost that anyone would incur in seeking a copy of their birth certificate."

The Federal District was the first jurisdiction in the nation to legalize abortion and same sex marriage

Mar. 12, 2012 - Gay activists protest outside PAN headquarters in Federal District

2014
May 17 - To dozens of others, Mexico now adds one more National Day - against Homophobia
Nov. 2 - Mexican Catholic Church lashes out at political parties, including the "false Left"

2013
June 16 - PRD will push for legal pot in Mexico's Federal District
Mar. 6 - Mexican Supreme Court: anti-gay comments are hate speech, not free speech

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