(Metro) – The World Health Organisation (WHO) has passed legislation that will no longer categorize being transgender as a mental health condition. The move has been said to have the potential to ‘liberate’ trans and non-binary people worldwide, making the route to legal transition draw closer. The decision was approved on Friday 25 May by the World Health Assembly, the WHO governing body that represents 194 member states, and should trickle down to national policies.

However, an evolving scientific understanding of gender and numerous advocates and transgender activists around the world speaking up for the lives of trans people have been key in seeing this result. Graeme Reid, LGBT rights director at Human Rights Watch said: ‘The WHO’s removal of “gender identity disorder” from its diagnostic manual will have a liberating effect on transgender people worldwide. ‘Governments should swiftly reform national medical systems and laws that require this now officially outdated diagnosis.’ READ MORE