Gender Recognition Legislation – Ireland Broden Giambrone

Irish Context  Ireland is one of the only remaining countries in the European Union that does not allow for legal recognition of trans people.  This is despite a High Court ruling that this is incompatible with Ireland’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.

Dr. Lydia Foy takes on Ireland (Part I)  19 Years Ago: In March 1993, Dr Foy first asked the office of the Registrar General for a new birth certificate.  5 years ago: The High Court first ruled that the failure to recognise Dr Foy in her female gender and provide her with a new birth certificate was a violation of her rights under the European Convention.

Dr. Lydia Foy takes on Ireland (Part II)  3 years ago: Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg referred specifically to the Foy case saying, “There is no excuse for not immediately granting this community their full and unconditional human rights”.  2 year ago: Ireland dropped its appeal to the High Court ruling.  Today: Dr Foy (and all trans people in Ireland) still don’t have legal recognition.

Where are we now?  The Gender Recognition Advisory Group (GRAG) was established by the Minister for Social Protection in May,  Consulted with medical and mental health experts and other stakeholders in Ireland.  Consulted with 14 organisations and 26 individuals.  Produced a 65 page document that was released in July  SO…. What did they come up with?

GRAG Recommendations (Part I)  1. Residency/Irish Birth Registration. Applications confined to persons whose births are registered in Ireland, persons included on the foreign Births Register and persons who are ordinarily resident in Ireland.  2. Minimum Age. Minimum age limit of 18 years  3. Marital and Civil Partnership Status. Persons in an existing valid marriage or civil partnership excluded from the scheme.

GRAG Recommendations (Part II)  4. Permanent Transition. A clear and settled intention to live in the changed gender for the remainder of his or her life.  5. Living in the Role. A minimum 2-year period living full-time in the changed gender.  6. Medical criteria. One of the following:  A formal diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder (GID) plus relevant supporting medical evidence, or  Medical evidence that the applicant has undergone gender reassignment surgery, or  […]

Forced Divorce  3. Marital and Civil Partnership Status. Persons in an existing valid marriage or civil partnership excluded from the scheme.

Medical Criteria  6. Medical criteria. One of the following:  A formal diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder (GID) plus relevant supporting medical evidence, or  Medical evidence that the applicant has undergone gender reassignment surgery,  […]

What does the GRAG say about Trans People?  What does the GRAG Report say about trans people? “In general, the group is described as lonely, distressed, passive […]” (p. 10)

Where does this all leave us?  The recommendations are not legislation…not yet.  The government is in the process of drafting legislation that is scheduled to be introduced in 2012 (?)  There is still time to influence the government to draft and introduce legislation that is inclusive and based on human rights principles.

Recognition NOW

Recognition Now  In July 2011, TENI hosted a Community Forum and over 70 people attended.  Diagnosis  Divorce  Lobbying politicians  Training  Trans Champions  Media/PR  Training  Touching the Surface: Trans Voices in Ireland

What you can do?  Where you can find us:     Twitter: TENI_tweets