In recent months, we have seen transgender rights advance in some countries and regress in others. While nations such as Cuba have passed historic laws recognizing gender identity without requiring medical procedures, in others such as the United Kingdom, the United States, or Russia, steps are being taken in the opposite direction. In those countries, legal and political decisions are being made that restrict equality, equity, and the recognition of gender identities beyond the socially imposed binary. Here we analyze some of the most relevant events of 2025 and what they mean for the global trans community.
Cuba: a historic step toward legal recognition of gender identity
In July 2025, Cuba passed a new law allowing trans people to change the gender marker on their identity documents without the need for genital surgery or a court order. This progress places the country in line with other modern legal systems, such as Spain, which recognize that gender identity should not be conditioned on invasive medical interventions.
This change represents a considerable advance in human rights: it makes the daily lives of thousands of trans people easier, removes discriminatory barriers, and recognizes self-determination as a basic principle.
Steps in this direction had already been seen since 2016. That was the year when Dr. Iván Mañero and his IM GENDER team traveled to Cuba at the invitation of its government to train a medical team in gender-affirming surgery.
United Kingdom: limiting the legal definition of “woman”
In contrast to the above, in April 2025, the UK Supreme Court issued a ruling with profound implications: under the Equality Act 2010, the legal definition of “woman” must be understood in relation to biological sex assigned at birth, not gender identity.
This interpretation affects spaces and services reserved for women, such as shelters, locker rooms, or specific support programs, and represents a setback for the protection of trans women’s rights. The ruling has sparked intense social and legal debate, as it restrictively redefines who can access certain legal and social environments. Most importantly, it opens the door to categorizing women differently and assigning different rights depending on that classification. Furthermore, it defines women by something external, such as their genitals, rather than by an experienced identity.
United States: growing restrictions on trans healthcare
The North American context, marked by political radicalization in recent years, also presents major challenges. The University of Texas (UT) announced that starting in January 2026, it will no longer offer gender-affirming hormone therapy to its trans students. Although it is argued that these individuals can seek external providers, the measure reflects the impact of state-level anti-trans laws and growing political pressure.
In addition, numerous states are processing bills that limit access to gender-affirming healthcare, especially for minors. This creates a climate of medical insecurity and directly affects the physical and emotional well-being of thousands of young people.
Iowa: removal of “gender identity” from its civil rights code
A paradigmatic case of regression is Iowa, which recently removed the concept of “gender identity” as a protected category from its civil rights code. This means that trans and non-binary people are left unprotected against discrimination in essential areas such as housing, employment, or access to basic services.
The removal of this legal protection represents a serious setback in equality and sets a worrying precedent for other states.
Advances and setbacks: an uneven map of trans rights
The examples of Cuba, the UK, the US, and Iowa reveal a complex picture. While some countries make significant progress with laws recognizing gender identity without medical requirements, others regress both legally and politically by restricting rights that were previously recognized for trans people or even go so far as to limit access to healthcare.
This contrast highlights that trans rights are not guaranteed uniformly worldwide and that there is still a long way to go toward equality and equity in this regard.
Spain: a benchmark in respect and quality medical care
In this context, Spain has established itself as a safe and respectful country for gender diversity. It not only has an advanced legal framework for the recognition of rights but also offers a socially and medically sensitive and specialized environment.
Centers like IM GENDER are an example of this. Pioneers in gender-affirming surgery in Spain and Europe, their team—led by Dr. Mañero—has long defended trans visibility in medicine, at a time when many professionals avoided the subject. Today, in addition to providing highly specialized medical care, they train surgeons from other countries in surgical techniques and in sensitivity toward trans people, so that they may receive the quality care they deserve wherever they go.
Undergoing gender-affirming surgery or receiving care in a country with genuine respect, social sensitivity, and experienced professionals makes a significant difference in the safety and well-being of trans people.
Constant commitment to trans people
The year 2025 reminds us that transgender rights can advance or regress depending on the political and legal decisions of each country. That is why it is essential to continue raising visibility, demanding inclusive legal frameworks, and ensuring healthcare that respects each person’s identity.
At IM GENDER, we continue working with responsibility, science, and humanity, supporting those who seek to live according to their identity in a safe and respectful environment.
Are you from outside Spain and want to learn more about IM GENDER? Request an online consultation with our team.
