'They talk about gay or lesbian but never transgender'The Irish Times - Saturday, July 28, 2012
by Ora Tinsley
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2012/0728/1224320928699.htmlIn 2010 the Government set up the interdepartmental Gender Recognition Advisory Group, to propose new laws. A year ago it gave Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton a series of proposals.
Among the conditions it recommended is that, as in the UK, people must be formally diagnosed with gender-identity disorder or provide evidence of gender-reassignment surgery to a panel of three judges (who will represent legal, medical and general fields, it is believed). Candidates must also live in what is referred to as their acquired or preferred gender for two years before seeking gender recognition.
Perhaps the most controversial element of the proposals is the recommendation that, in order to be recognised, the person must be single and outside an existing marriage or civil partnership.
Being forced to choose between her marriage or her life as a woman is impossible, says Philippa. "Do I choose to have my gender identity recognised by my own country or do I break up my family?"
Some activists say the stress caused by these legal problems, and by wider social issues, can push transgender people to the brink. "When people are unable to access healthcare and housing and are isolated from their families, that's what causes high rates of suicide within the transgender community," says Broden Giambrone, director of Transgender Equality Network Ireland.
Activists are unhappy with the Government's plans for legislation, saying the proposals simply copy UK laws.
