Transgender people from the age 16 will be able to have their gender legally recognised under new proposed legislation. 

Yesterday, Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, published a revised General Scheme of the Gender Recognition Bill following Cabinet approval. The new scheme provides a pathway for legal recognition for 16 and 17 years olds.

“TENI warmly welcomes the publication of the revised Bill as it represents significant progress,” said TENI Chief Executive Broden Giambrone.

“The reduction in the age an individual can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate from 18 years to 16 years is a step forward to improving the conditions of young trans and intersex people in this country. We were delighted to see the Minister move the legislation in this progressive direction.”

While this new proposed legislation is a step forward, trans people under 18 still face additional barriers when trying to be legally recognised in their preferred gender. In order to be legally recognised, young people aged 16 and 17 will require parental consent, a letter from the primary treating physician and a court order to access legal recognition.

“While TENI warmly welcomes the inclusion of 16 and 17 year olds in the revised General Scheme we are deeply concerned that the process will be too burdensome and act as a barrier to many young people being able to avail of the legislation,” said Giambrone.”Requiring a court order is particularly troublesome.”

The General Scheme of the Bill will now be referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting and the bill is expected to be published by Government before the end of 2014. It will then be debated in the Dáil and Seanad.

Today, June 18, TENI are launching the STAD: Stop Transphobia and Discrimination report. The STAD report documents hate crimes against transgender people in Ireland, to raise awareness about transphobic violence and to enable the trans community to report hate crimes and incidents in a safe environment.