The working group proposes the codes transvestism, fetishism, fetishistic cross-dress, sadomaschocism and multiple disorders of sexual preference be cancelled when the classification system of diseases and related health problems (ICD-10) is revised in Finland in spring 2012.
Provided that the proposal is adopted, Finland joins the other Nordic countries in cancelling these codes from the national disease classification system. The Nordic countries are thus able to send a common signal to the World Health Organization, WHO, that a substantial update of the International Classification of Diseases is needed, ending the stigmatization of sexual preference and gender identity. The health authorities in Denmark officially removed the registration of diseases in this field back in 1995. Sweden and Norway revised their manuals for registration of diseases respectively in the year 2009 and 2010.
Organizations supporting the rights of sexual and gender minorities approve of the removal of any disease registration based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity. But even though a common Nordic position is emerging, the discussions on the rights of transgender persons have by no means ended when it comes to the update of the new, international classification of diseases (ICD-11).
Transgender persons are still diagnosed as people requiring treatment, and espeically those transgender persons seeking a gender reassignement are confronted with many barriers. This goes both for the access to the health system and the legal process whereby gender identity is recognized by the state.
For further information: Ressources concerning transgender persons rights in the EU member states, 2010
