Yesterday afternoon, Iceland’s Parliament passed a new law which greatly expands the rights of trans people, including those who are non-binary. While the changes made were celebrated by some of the leading figures in Iceland’s trans community, they also pointed out that there is still a long ways to go, especially when it comes to the rights of intersex people.

The law in question was introduced to Parliament by the Prime Minister’s office, and was passed yesterday with 45 Yes votes and no one opposed, although there were three abstentions, from Karl Gauti Hjaltason, Ólafur Ísleifsson and Sigurður Páll Jónsson—all of the Centre Party. 15 MPs were not present for the vote.

What’s in the law

Up until this point, trans people in Iceland have had to endure a lengthy diagnostic process, involving multiple interviews over a series of months or longer, in order to change their legally registered gender and get access to health care specific to trans people. Further, there has been no third gender option for non-binary people.

That has now changed with the passage of this law, as it institutes an informed consent model, a much shorter process for many trans people to get the medical resources they need, and also adds a third gender option—X—to the National Registry. In addition, those under the age of 18 can change their registered gender with the confirmation of a parent or legal guardian. Read more via Reykjavik Grapeline