Sweden passes law to make it easier to change legal gender

People march during the annual Gay Pride parade in central Stockholm, Sweden August 5, 2017. Erik Simander/TT News Agency/via REUTERS/File Photo

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden's parliament on Wednesday passed a law that will make it easier for people to change their legal gender and lower the age at which it is allowed to 16 years from 18 years, despite heavy criticism from within the government coalition.

Swedes have been able to change legal gender since 1972, but it can take many years and requires a thorough investigation and a doctor's diagnosis of gender dysphoria.