On Wednesday and Thursday this week the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection will consider the general scheme or outline of a Bill to recognise transgender identity published by the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton in July 2013. FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres), TENI (Transgender Equality Network Ireland) and other bodies will appear before the Committee to discuss the legislation.
The Bill would mean that a transgender person could have their true gender fully recognised by the State for all purposes, including the right to marry or enter a civil partnership in their true gender and the right to a new birth certificate. The Bill only applies to those who are over 18 and not currently married or in a civil partnership. Under the draft legislation, a transgender person will be required to submit two pieces of documentation to support their request – a statutory self-declaration and a physician’s certificate.
Criticism by non-governmental organisations about various aspects of the legislation have centred on the following points:
- The Scheme only applies to people over the age of 18;
- Individuals will be forced to divorce their spouses and partners before they can avail of the Scheme
- The requirement for certification from the individual’s primary treating physician.
FLAC has also said that the Scheme should include provision for legal sanction in cases of discrimination of transgendered people.
Click here to read an earlier Bulletin article about the draft legislation.
Click here to read a FLAC press release.
Click here to read a joint press release from Amnesty International Ireland, BeLonG To Youth Services, GLEN, LGBT Noise, TENI and TransParenCI parent and family support group.