TENI hosts Transgender Conference at DCU

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, TD, delivered a keynote address at today's 4th European Transgender Conference held at Dublin City University. The conference was organised by Transgender Equality Network Ireland and was attended by more than 200 human rights activists from across Europe and Turkey. Other keynote speakers included Michael Farrell, senior solicitor at FLAC, and Senator Katherine Zappone.

"We are delighted that the Minister is part of this conference," said TENI Director Broden Giambrone. "Gender recognition for transgender people is a basic human right, and Ireland - one of the last EU States to legislate - has an opportunity to lead Europe in drafting inclusive, marriage-friendly legislation".

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD said: "I want to pay tribute to Dr Lydia Foy for her long and tenacious battle to have her true gender and identity recognised by the State and her human rights vindicated. As a result of the High Court's ruling in Dr Foy's case, the State now has an obligation to put a process in place to legally recognise the acquired gender of transgender people. I am very anxious to make progress on this matter; I want to ensure that transgender people will have legal recognition and to extend the protections of the equality legislation to them."

"I intend to request that the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education examine the issue of gender recognition in October or November. I would like all groups with an interest in this area to engage with the Committee on this important issue, which will then assist my Department in drafting the legislation," concluded the Minister.

TENI have worked in partnership with Dublin City University, whose research group EROSS (Expressions, Research, Orientations: Sexuality Studies) investigates sexual identities and gender role formation. Dr Mel Duffy from EROSS said, "This is not about individualism. This is about human rights and equality. This is about acceptance."