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Ireland Nears Recognition of Trans Identities


Legislation permitting transgender people to amend their birth certificate is pending introduction in Ireland, the only European country without legal recognition for trans identities.


BY Sunnivie Brydum | September 07 2012 1:50 PM ET


http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2012/09/07/ireland-nears-recognition-trans-identities (http://www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2012/09/07/ireland-nears-recognition-trans-identities)


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Social Protection Minister Joan Burton and Lydia Foy


Pending legislation in Ireland would permit transgender people to amend their birth certificates to reflect their accurate gender, reports the Irish Times. But the legislation would also require transgender people who are currently married to divorce and re-enter into a same-sex civil partnership, reports the Transgender Equality Network Ireland.

"Some members of Ireland's trans community are in loving marriages with children," said TENI director Broden Gambrione. "In effect, this would force them to choose between the integrity of their family and accessing a basic human right. No one should be asked to make such a choice. Ireland is a progressive country whose constitution affords particular protection to the family based on marriage. This proposal shows no respect for Ireland's married trans families. The idea of forcing a happy couple to live apart and divorce is unimaginable."






The Irish Sun


Same sex wedding hell: Transgender couples 'must split'


MARRIED transgender folk will have to get divorced if their status gets State approval.


Published: 08th September 2012


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/irishsun/irishsunnews/4527232/Same-sex-wedding-hell-Transgender-couples-must-split.html (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/irishsun/irishsunnews/4527232/Same-sex-wedding-hell-Transgender-couples-must-split.html)


The warning came as equality groups gave a guarded welcome to government plans to give them legal recognition.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton said proposed legislation would soon be published.

But she insisted a clause on 'forced divorces' would stay in the Bill to maintain the constitutional protection of marriage.

Transgender Equality Network's Vanessa Lacey claimed the new law would break up happy relationships.






Trans Equality Network Ireland



Minister Burton commits to further dialogue on Ireland's gender recognition legislation


07 SEP 2012


http://www.teni.ie/news-post.aspx?contentid=663 (http://www.teni.ie/news-post.aspx?contentid=663)


This morning at the opening ceremony of the 4th European Transgender Council, Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton TD committed to further dialogue on Ireland's upcoming gender recognition legislation. She marked the dramatic shift in society's attitudes towards women and LGBT diversity over the last 30 years, and marked the change in the principles of legislating for gender recognition that have taken place in the two years since the interdepartmental Gender Recognition Advisory Group was established. The Minister announced that a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education will examine the issue of gender recognition in October or November. The committee will be seeking feedback and opinions on the proposed legislation.






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Trans* equality activists protest Minister's speech


Sep 7th, 2012


http://www.gaelick.com/2012/09/trans-equality-activists-protest-ministers-speech/27396/ (http://www.gaelick.com/2012/09/trans-equality-activists-protest-ministers-speech/27396/)


Delegates of a trans* human rights conference protested during a keynote speech delivered by Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, this morning.

Delegates stood holding placards saying "No Forced Divorce", "Not Good Enough", "My Identity, My Right", "Minister Burton Hurry Up" as Minister Burton concluded her address to the 4th European Transgender Council taking place in Dublin City University.

The protesters expressed anger and frustration at the ongoing delay hindering the introduction of Gender Recognition Legislation in Ireland. Such legislation would facilitate trans* people to have their birth certificates amended to reflect their gender identity.

For the past five years, Ireland has been in breach of its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights to introduce Gender Recognition Legislation and is one of the only remaining countries in the European Union without such legislation.

Take them to court.
Only thing that will get their attention.