Action Day October 17^th 2009 – STP 2012 Campaign

On Saturday, October 17^th 2009, demonstrations and other actions was taken 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 Octubre 17^th 2009 we demonstrated 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.

We also would like to thank all the groups, networks and individual persons which are supporting the STP 2012 campaign.

Stop Trans Pathologization!

International Trans Depathologization Network www.stp2012.wordpress.com.

THE VALENCIA’S DECLARATION ON SEXUAL RIGHTS
VALENCIA, SPAIN JUNE 29th, 1997
We, the participants of the XIII World Congress of Sexology, Sexuality and Human Rights, state that:
Sexuality is a changing and dynamic dimension of humanity, which is constructed by aims of mutual interaction between individual and social structures. It is presented throughout the life cycle harmonizing identity, creating and/or strengthening interpersonal bonds.
Sexual pleasure, including self-eroticism, is a source of physical, psychological, intellectual and spiritual well-being. It is associated with a conflict and anxiety-free experience of sexuality, allowing, therefore, social and personal development.
Therefore, we urge society to create conditions in order to satisfy the needs for the full development of the individual and respect for the following SEXUAL RIGHTS, alienable, inviolable and irreplaceable of the human condition:

The right to freedom. It excludes all forms of sexual coercion, exploitation and abuse at any time and situations in life. The struggle against violence is a social priority.

The right to autonomy, integrity and safety of the body. This right encompasses control and enjoyment of our owns bodies free from torture, mutilation and any sort of violence.

The right to sexual equity. This one refers to freedom from all forms of discrimination, paying due respect to sexual diversity, regardless sex, gender, age, race, social class, religion and sexual orientation.

The right to sexual health. Which includes the availability of all sufficient resources for the development of research and the necessary knowledge for its promotion. HIV/AIDS and STDs require more resources for research, diagnosis and treatment.

The right to wide, objective and factual information on human  sexuality. In order to allow decision-making regarding sexual life.

The right to a comprehensive sexuality education. From birth and throughout the life cycle. All social institutions should be involved in this process.

The right to associate freely. This means the possibility for people to gather together whether married or not, to divorce, and to establish other types of sexual associations.

The right to make free and responsible choices regarding reproductive life. The number and spacing of children and the access to means of fertility regulation. All children should be desired and loved.

The right to privacy. Which implies the capability of making autonomous decisions about sexual life within a context of personal and social ethics. Rational and satisfactory experience of sexuality is a requirement for human development.

HUMAN SEXUALITY IS THE ORIGIN OF THE DEEPEST BOND BETWEEN HUMAN BEINGS. AND IT IS ESSENTIAL TO THE WELL-BEING OF INDIVIDUALS, COUPLE, FAMILIES AND SOCIETY. THEREFORE, THE RESPECT FOR SEXUAL RIGHTS SHOULD BE PROMOTED THROUGH ALL MEANS.

SEXUAL HEALTH IS A BASIC AND FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT.

INFORMACIÓN Y CONTACTO
Instituto de psicologia y sexologia Espill
www.espill.org