Christian’s story is unique precisely because he did not have to undergo surgery to obtain legal recognition of his gender. “I have a serious condition that I fear is chronic. Even if there is a small hope of improvement, the path to a possible intervention would still be long,” explains Christian.
According to the lawyer Claudio Russo, who followed the case, the decision of the Court of Naples represents a milestone for the social visibility of transgenders. “The Court of Naples also fully adhered to the direction of the Constitutional Court, following in the footsteps of the courts of Messina, Rome, Rovereto, Siena and Trapani”, states Russo.
Christian said that from the age of eight he felt like he was in the wrong body. “I was a woman, but I felt like a man. At 19, I started a journey to change sex, but a kidney problem stopped my intentions. Despite everything, I didn’t give up,” says Christian.
Determined to become Christian, she began to read up on the internet and contact medical facilities. “I started with the polyclinic for the endocrinological part and then for the psychological and psychiatric part,” she says.
Lawyer Russo underlines the importance of the Court’s decision also from a human point of view. “The Court justified its choice on the life experience of Christian, who always felt he had a gender identity different from his biological one. Thanks to this awareness and the path started, he has finally achieved harmony and psychic balance,” explains Russo.
Previously, those who wanted to adapt their gender identity to their personal data had to undergo hormone therapies and surgery. “Law 164/1982 indispensably required medical-surgical treatment for the modification of sexual characteristics. however, justice has adapted to social changes, allowing the rectification of personal data even for those who cannot or do not want to undergo a physical gender change operation”, concludes Russo.
This ruling represents a significant turning point, opening up new possibilities for transgender people to have their gender identity legally recognized without having to undergo invasive medical procedures.
