Gender Recognition Events
This week the long-awaited Gender Recognition Bill was debated in the Seanad, and the debate will continue over the next number of weeks. This is a key and crucial moment in the history of trans rights in Ireland.
At TENI we have been working hard to make sure that trans people are at the centre of debates around gender recognition and that trans voices are heard.
This week we launched our new video 'Gender Recognition Matters', which highlights the ways in which the legislation will effect the lives of trans people, from their perspectives. You can view the video here.
We are also delighted to share two upcoming events on gender recognition that will be taking place in February. Please help us to share details of these events.
1. PUBLIC SEMINAR: EXAMINING IRELAND'S LONG AWAITED GENDER RECOGNITION BILL
5PM- 7PM | 02 FEB 2015 | SEMINAR ROOM, IRISH CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, EARLS ISLAND, GALWAY
The Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUIG will host a public seminar examining Ireland's long awaited gender recognition bill.
Guest speakers include:
- Dr Lydia Foy
- Broden Giambrone, TENI
- John Fisher, ARC International
- Professor Michael O'Flaherty, Irish Centre for Human Rights
- Michael Farrell, FLAC
The seminar will be chaired by Senator Katherine Zappone.
2. (TRANS) GENDER RECOGNITION IN GERMANY: THE ROLE OF THE GERMAN COURTS
6.30-8.30PM | 05 FEB 2015 | WILLIAM FRY THEATRE, UCD SUTHERLAND SCHOOL OF LAW
The Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC), UCD Human Rights Network and UCD Sutherland School of Law invite you to a keynote address from Prof. Dr. Johanna Schmidt-Räntsch, Judge of the German Supreme Court.
Chair: Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness, former Judge of the Irish Supreme Court.
Other contributors:
- Michael Farrell, FLAC
- Broden Giambrone, TENI
As the Oireachtas begins to debate the first ever legislation to officially recognise transgender persons in Ireland, the Gender Recognition Bill 2014. There is still concern about some sections of the proposed Bill, with trans persons arguing that they are too restrictive and would exclude some trans people (see here and here). Particularly contentious is a clause that would require trans persons who are already married or in a civil partnership to divorce as a pre-condition for recognition in their preferred gender.
What can we learn from the experience of other European countries like Germany, where the Constitutional Court struck down a similar ‘compulsory divorce’ provision and other provisions of the German Transsexual Law as being in breach of the German Constitution (Bundesgesetz or Basic Law)? Judge Schmidt-Räntsch will discuss the German experience of gender recognition legislation and fundamental rights.
There is no charge for this event, however registration is required. You can register here.
A reception will follow Prof. Dr. Schmidt-Räntsch’s keynote address.
2 CPD Points available for practitioners.
Please help us by sharing details of these events.
Trans rights are human rights.
