Meanwhile, the amendment to Article 7 means that changing one's name and registered sex for individuals over 18 years of age without a current marriage will be an administrative procedure: it can be done at the Civil Registry. The only requirement is the presence of two witnesses who can attest that the person understands the legal implications of the change.

[READ ALSO: Selenna, the Chilean trans girl who became a symbol of pride]

Finally, the Commission approved paragraph 1 – which had been proposed by the Executive – according to which the Family Court is the competent body when it comes to requests for change of name and registered sex of adolescents between 14 and 18 years old.

A historic step (that must outlast Congress)

“The Joint Committee has put children first. With this decision, which we hope will be approved in the House and the Senate, the gender identity law especially protects those who suffer the most discrimination, the most vulnerable. It is a historic decision,” Juan Enrique Pi, executive president of the Iguales Foundation, told Presentes. For his part, Armando Escoffer, father of a trans girl and member of OTD, highlighted that “age barriers are being pushed back: we were discussing minors and now we are going to discuss those under 14. That is a great step forward,” he said. However, he explained that this still needs to be debated in the chamber. “It would be fantastic if that happened, but I honestly don't see it as easy, especially in the Senate. That's why we don't want to declare victory yet. And we mustn't forget that this is always, for all minors under 18, through the courts,” he warned.