With the entry into force of the Gender Identity Act in 2019, trans people can change their sex and registration name, seeking to recognize the right to identity of each person, however it is only allowed for people over 14 years of age. As a result of the struggles of the trans community, August 19 was declared The National Day of Trans Children in 2016.
“That the Gender Identity Act does not allow the change of name and sex registry under the 14, not only goes against two principles of the same law; progressive autonomy and best interests of the child, but also means ignoring the right to gender identity at a time in the course of life where often the psychic discomfort of trans nannies increases significantly, “said social director of Todo Mejora, Rocío Faúndez.
This day has been commemorated since 2016, where it aims to make trans children visible in a responsible and affirmative way in Chilean society. For this reason, the Todo Mejora Foundation conducted the survey on Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Trans Adolescence, in which 370 trans adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 participated.
The results showed that 44% of trans adolescents expressed not having a person to talk about their transition and 66% indicated that the sex education content seen in their school had nothing to do with their own experiences, although they were considered useful.
“The data show a worrying reality, which is the need for adolescents to have a truly comprehensive sex education appropriate to their experiences. And that their adult environment can accompany them in an affirmative way. It becomes very important to make visible that trans children exist and their rights deserve to be respected,” said Faúndez.
In the case of trans people who feel heard, it was divided into: 60% by friends, 37% by their families, 21% by their partners. However, 1 in 4 report feeling rejection towards themselves or other trans people because of their identity, with 62% agreeing very much with the phrase “I feel uncomfortable showing my body” and 54% say they strongly agree with the phrase “I feel rejection towards my body”.
Of the 370 people surveyed, 90% have never used hormones in relation to their identity and in general the use increases with age. 27% said they have not done so because they do not have family support, 17% who are not in their plans and 11% say they do not have the money to buy it. “You can see little family support and given the age group, it most likely shows little autonomy and lack of accompaniment in its process,” Faúndez explained.
