User:Evangelos.papadakis/sandbox

Sakris Kupila born (1997) in Suomi, Finland. Sakris is a 21-year-old medical student and human rights defender fighting for the reform of gender recognition laws in Finland. He has been subject to harassment, intimidation and even violent threats for defending trans rights in Finland.

Career
Sakris Kupila has never identified as a woman. However, his identity documents say he is female. Sakris was a teenager when he realised that the gender he was given at birth didn’t express who he is. He chose a new name – which is considered male – but under Finnish law people are not allowed names of another gender. Sakris had to be diagnosed with a “mental disorder” to keep his name. This was Sakris’ first step towards legal recognition of who he is. But to have your gender reassigned in Finland, you must be diagnosed with a “mental disorder” and sterilised. Such requirements are a stain on Finland’s reputation for openness and tolerance.

Over 16,000 people signed Kapila’s Amnesty petition calling for change. In a message to supporters of the campaign Sakris spoke of disappointment: 'I am disappointed of course, but I am so proud you all stood up with me to give a powerful message to the prime minister, Juha Sipilä: that we’re watching, we will not be ignored and we will not stop fighting for trans rights in Finland.'

A large-scale mural on Stavanger’s Paradis train station for Nuart Festival 2017 celebrated the bravery of activists around the world, who are always more frequently harassed and intimidated for defending human rights.