To mark 10 years since the Gender Recognition Act was passed in Ireland, we have dug into the depths of the GCN Archive to uncover how the magazine covered the struggle that led to the passage of the law. This article, from GCN Issue 310, marks a historic day for the trans community in Ireland, as for the very first time, they were able to apply for legal gender recognition.
September 8 was a historic day for Ireland’s trans community as the first time trans people could apply to be legally recognised in their true gender. The Department of Social Protection began accepting application forms from trans people wishing to be legally recognised in their true gender after years of fervent campaigning.
“Today is an incredible day and a historic moment for the trans community in Ireland,” said Tánaiste Joan Burton, speaking at a press conference alongside Minister Humphreys, Dr Lydia Foy, and TENI Chief Executive Broden Giambrone.
“Today also marks the end of Dr Lydia Foy’s twenty-two-year journey to be legally recognised. I want to commend her courage and tenacity,” Giambrone added.
“TENI would also like to thank Tánaiste Burton and Minister Humphreys for their leadership and vision. This legislation is compassionate, progressive and affirms our human rights. We must also thank all of our allies in the Dáil and Seanad for their support and hard work to get this legislation passed.”
The new legislation was signed into law last week by President Michael D. Higgins and makes Ireland one of the global leaders in trans rights. Ireland is just one of five countries that has legislation based on self-determination.
Stay tuned for more articles from 2015 as part of the #GenderRec10 campaign. To look through the GCN Archive for yourself, see the issues from 1988 to 1998 here, and more recent issues here.
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This article was published in the print edition Issue No. 310 (October 1, 2015). Click here to read it now.
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