Vote against the motion to repeal the transgender law!

A motion by NSC and SGP calling for the repeal of the Transgender Act will be voted on today. We have sent an email to every MP calling on them to vote against this motion. It has been three years since the transgender law was tabled. In September 2022, the House of Representatives gave its verdict on the bill. The years that followed consisted of fact-free scaremongering and procrastination: the transgender bill has still not been voted on.

The vote on the motion will be close. It may come down to a few MPs whether the motion gets a majority. Therefore, we call on MPs to vote against this motion. Treatment of the bill must go ahead, it gives clarity to non-binary, intersex and trans people, it is a crucial step towards recognition and inclusion.

Read our appeal to MPs here:

Dear MP,

It has been three years since the transgender bill was introduced. In September 2022, the House of Representatives voted on the bill. The years that followed consisted of fact-free scaremongering and procrastination: the transgender bill has still not been voted on.

Now there is a motion calling on the outgoing cabinet to repeal the transgender law. On Tuesday, as you know, there will be a roll-call vote on this motion. We appeal to your charity, to your solidarity, to your ideal image of the Netherlands in which we hope everyone can be themselves. We call on you not to support the motion. Deal with the transgender bill and vote for it. Vote for this bill that allows a vulnerable group of people to be who they are.

Because the transgender bill is needed. As anti-LHBTI+ hatred grows, not only in the Netherlands but also in Europe and the rest of the world, it is the job of the Lower House to stand up for the people it represents. Non-binary, intersex and trans people are just as much a part of that. This group of people is especially vulnerable to (online) hatred, discrimination, (physical) threats and stalking. This is often precisely because they are singled out by the letter 'V' or 'M' in their identity documents. An expert statement is an extra barrier for these people to express themselves and be like themselves.

Transgender law does justice to the right to self-determination of non-binary, intersex and trans people. They themselves know best who they are, and no one else should determine that for them. No one should have to give them permission to live the way they want. And our call is not alone: the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the Human Rights Board are also calling on the Netherlands to drop the expert statement. We would join Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, Portugal and Switzerland and, since last week, Germany, which is also dropping the expert statement.

The motion calling on the outgoing Cabinet to repeal the transgender law does not do justice to the process that started as early as 2021. It does not do justice to the calls of people who would so benefit from this law. This motion is unseemly to say the least, as Minister Weerwind also rightly said: it leaves non-binary, intersex and trans people waiting even longer for a crucial step towards recognition and inclusion.

Therefore, we appeal to your duty as a representative of all Dutch people, to your heart for your fellow man for which you entered the Chamber and to your duty to stand up for those who are vulnerable. Non-binary, intersex and trans people do not care about group discipline or formation agreements. They have no use for politicians who give in to a small group of conservatives, who use unproven fear-mongering to make this group of people the target of hate, discrimination and physical and verbal violence.

On Tuesday, you will have the unique opportunity to support these people. The bill's passage may depend on a few votes: your voice can make a difference. Do what feels right. Vote against the motion to repeal the transgender law. Vote for the transgender bill.

We wish you much wisdom and love for this vulnerable group of Dutch people,

Sincerely,

Rick Timmermans (he/him)
Chairman DWARS, GroenLinkse Young people