BY: DM
Published 1 week ago
Cuba is officially letting trans people update the gender markers on their legal documents. Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power (NAPP) has approved a new law enabling transgender citizens to change the gender marker on their official documents without requiring proof of genital surgery.
For years, Cuban trans folks had to jump through invasive and dehumanizing hoops to have their gender legally recognized. But now, with this self-declaration policy, trans Cubans can walk into a civil registry and say who they are — on their own terms. Here is a look at how the country came to its historic decision.
Cubans no longer need gender-affirming surgery to change their legal documents.
Cuba’s legislative body passed the measure on July 18 as part of a major overhaul of the island’s civil registry system, Them reports. The new law, effective immediately, allows transgender Cubans to self-declare their gender on ID cards through a simple request. They no longer need a court order or proof of “bottom surgery” to have their identity legally recognized.
This shift aligns Cuba with a growing list of countries embracing gender self-identification and marks a sharp break from decades of restrictive policy. The law also updates other civil processes. It recognizes common-law partnerships and gives survivors of domestic violence the right to change their last names.
The NAPP played a pivotal role in this reform by unanimously passing the new Civil Registry Law in its mid-year session. Under Cuba’s constitution, the NAPP holds the supreme authority to enact laws, and it exercises that power to modernize the civil registration system. Justice Minister Oscar Silvera Martínez praised the overhaul as a major step toward a “modern civil registry.” He tweeted, “The new law approved by @AsambleaCuba will allow the country to have a modern Civil Registry, managed with the advances of #DigitalTransformation, Artificial Intelligence, and the issuance of fully valid and effective digital documents.”
Advocates and members of the LGBTQIA+ community are praising the decision.
Cuba’s transgender community has responded with overwhelming positivity. For many, this policy isn’t just symbolic — it’s a real change that will improve their day-to-day lives. “I have plans to get married and have children,” Cuban transgender man Danny Ortiz told Reuters. “But first I need to change my name.” Ortiz has lived with a female-gendered name on his ID — “Daniela” — that doesn’t reflect his reality. The new law gives him hope that his documents will finally match his identity.
Many describe the reform as life-changing — not just for its practical impact, but for what it symbolizes. Mía Rochel Ramos, a trans woman in central Cuba, said she had nearly abandoned her dreams due to past discrimination. Years ago, she was forced to quit nursing school because of transphobic attitudes. “The next generations will have it easier,” Rochel said.
Cuban LGBTQIA+ advocates and allies have applauded the National Assembly’s decision. CENESEX, the organization that reviewed the draft law, praised its inclusive spirit. Under the new law, CENESEX will take an active role in implementation. Its team of specialists will help certify applicants’ requests to change their legal gender.
Do you think more countries should adopt self-declaration policies for gender identity? Comment below!
