Cuba has enacted a major legal reform allowing transgender individuals to update the gender markers on their government-issued identification cards without the need for genital-affirming surgery. The National Assembly of People’s Power approved the legislation on July 18, 2025, representing a significant advance in transgender rights in the country (LGBTQ Nation).
Previously, individuals seeking to amend their gender markers had to provide court-approved documentation proving they had undergone gender-affirming surgery. The new law removes this requirement, enabling individuals to self-declare their gender identity on official documents through a streamlined request process. This change is part of a broader reform of Cuba’s Civil Registry system, which also recognizes emotional unions or cohabitation agreements for unmarried couples (Them.us).
Although Cuba offers comprehensive healthcare for gender-affirming treatments, access has been limited due to the ongoing U.S. trade embargo and domestic budget constraints. These factors have created shortages of medications and medical professionals, causing some transgender individuals to self-medicate, which carries health risks. The new law provides legal recognition for transgender people even when medical access remains challenging (Los Angeles Blade, Brasil de Fato).
Advocates hail the legislation as a critical step toward equality and inclusion. It affirms the rights of transgender individuals to have their gender identity legally recognized without undergoing invasive medical procedures. While the law does not address all challenges facing the transgender community in Cuba, it provides a legal framework for greater social acceptance and protection (LGBTQ Nation).
This reform positions Cuba among the progressive nations in Latin America advancing transgender rights, highlighting a growing commitment to human rights and inclusivity. It also underscores the importance of legal recognition as a complement to access to healthcare and societal acceptance. The law is expected to have meaningful impacts on the lives of transgender Cubans, providing dignity, autonomy, and a clearer path toward equality.