Bolivian politicians have approved a bill to allow trans people to change their name and gender on official documents.

The Chamber of Deputies approved the bill which will forever change the legal standing of trans people in the South American country.

The Gender Identity bill still needs to be approved by the Senate before being signed into law by President Evo Moralas.

It has been a long awaited process, with the bill first being proposed in 2012 by the national coordinator of the Bolivian trans movement. Raysa Torriani.

It was backed by Bolivia’s Deputy Justice Minister Diego Jimenez who said Bolivia’s constitution prohibits all forms of discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.

Trans people will still need to apply to the Ministry of Justice for a psychological examination prior to legally changing their identity.