France: Country Removes Transexuals from List of Mental Disorders

Several decades have passed since the West stopped considering homosexuality a mental illness. But for transsexuals, that kind of milestone has been elusive - until now. Last month, France became the first country in the world to remove transsexualism from its official list of mental disorders - a major victory when it comes to acceptance of this oft misunderstood condition.

"I'm relieved. People might begin to look at us differently," says transsexual blogger Caphi (a blended name she's chosen to represent Philippe, the man she was born as, and Caroline, the woman she's transforming into). "It's a start."

But only a start, many transsexuals in France say. In practice, the declaration will do little to improve their legal or medical rights in the country. For example, transsexuals are still required to have a sex-change operation before they can change their gender in the eyes of the law. And to get the green light for surgery, they must still undergo extensive medical and psychiatric evaluations.

Full Story from Time Magazine
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France: British Civil Partnerships to be Recognized Under French Law

Graham Watson, the Lib Dem MEP who represents the UK’s South West and Gibraltar Euro-constituency, is celebrating a hard-won victory in the battle to secure equal rights for UK same-sex couples living in France.

Since August 2007, French couples in a Pacte Civil de Solidarité (PAC) have enjoyed the same rights in relation to tax and inheritance laws which had previously only applied to married couples. A year ago, the French National Assembly approved a measure to have foreign legal same-sex marriages/unions/partnerships recognised in France as PACs.

However, due to a legal anomaly, British civil partnerships were not recognised under French law, meaning that same-sex couples, who had registered a civil partnership in the UK, living in France were liable for a 60% inheritance tax and were treated like any other unmarried couple.

Full Story from UK Gay News
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