Unfit for Parenthood? Compulsory Sterilization and Transgender Reproductive Justice in Finland

This article examines the rationale of the continuing Finnish transgender sterilization requirement against the background of reproductive justice. I examine how and why the Finnish public debate on removing the sterilization clause from the Trans Act does not include an equal demand to 1) include a parental law reform and 2) a legislation on accessible, affordable and just reproductive health care for transgender persons and (cis)women alike. I will argue that since the citizens’ initiative of the marriage equality legislation in Finland was followed by another citizens’ initiative to reform the Maternity Act to include lesbian couples, transgender reproductive justice became a secondary issue. Another influence in the debates is the ongoing Finnish discussion on the declining birth rate and the heterosexual responsibility to reproduce for the sake of the nation.