Basel-Stadt expands the definition of gender in the Gender Equality Act
Published: Wednesday, Jan 10th 2024, 18:40
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Following an emotional debate, the Basel Grand Council has passed a new version of the cantonal equality law. In addition to men and women, it now includes all conceivable gender concepts and forms of sexual orientation.
The new law was passed by 69 votes to 15 with 2 abstentions after more than three hours of discussion.
The emotional debate in the Grand Council ran along this gender divide. Supporters emphasized the need for legal protection against discrimination and the promotion of equality to include new areas of gender and sexual tension.
Opponents of the draft law cited the federal and cantonal constitutions, which do not recognize diversified gender concepts, based on a conservative understanding of human nature. The SVP even spoke of an instrument of rampant "gender imbecility".
©Keystone/SDA
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