The Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany: The transgender movement divides Europe

Apr 30, 2024 by Jill

by Jonathon Van Maren, The Bridgehead:

The battle over transgender identity claims is raging in legislatures across Europe – with mixed results.

On April 24, the Telegraph reported that a “self-ID” law in the Netherlands, which would have allowed minors under age 16 to change their gender on legal documents such as passports and even birth certificates, is dead for the time being after a majority of MPs supported a resolution to shelve it. Seventy-three MPs supported withdrawing the bill; 70 voted against.

Many MPs seemed relieved to be able to avoid the discussion for the time being, as a recent poll showed that only a quarter of Dutch respondents to a recent national survey agreed with the statement: “People should be able to change their passport from the age of 16 without a statement from an expert.” The Netherlands currently features a “caretaker” government, as no leader has yet managed to create a large enough coalition to take power.

In a bizarre statement that highlights how much confusion the transgender movement has introduced, MP Nicolien van Vroonhoven stated, “We are absolutely not against changing sex. But it should not be too easy either. There are real risks to women’s safety. In England, for example, men are suddenly given access to women’s prisons, and that is not something we should want.” (But, of course, if those men had changed sex… wouldn’t they be women? Or does van Vroonhoven perhaps not believe that?)

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