Thousands take to the streets of Dublin for Trans and Intersex Pride 2023 march

Over 3,000 LGBTQ+ people and allies marched across Dublin city centre for Trans and Intersex Pride calling for better trans health care, safety, and recognition.

Ireland . Written by Nicole Lee.

Crowd of over 3,000 gathers for Trans Pride Dublin 2023
Image: Twitter @MotherDublin

Over 3,000 people marched across Dublin city centre on Saturday, July 8 for Trans and Intersex Pride 2023. The protest was intended to build a mass movement toward trans and intersex liberation in Ireland. Trans activists and allies gathered at 2:00 pm at the Garden of Remembrance before marching to the Dail.

The march was organised to highlight the dire state of trans healthcare in Ireland, with organisers demanding “bodily autonomy for all” with a GP-led, informed consent-based trans healthcare, and improved safety for the transgender community.

Demonstrators chanted: “When trans rights are under attack, stand up fight back!”. In acknowledgement of the recent rise of the far-right targeting refugees and LGBTQ+ people, they also chanted: “Trans rights migrant rights, same struggle same fight!”

Minister Roderic O’Gorman, offered his support on Twitter saying: “Today and every day, as Minister for Equality, I will stand up for human rights for trans people.”

Socialist TD Mick Barry also commented, referencing recent attacks against trans people and the rise in transphobia in Ireland saying: “There needs to be a strong and militant response to this increase in transphobia and hate crimes.” 

Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin founder and co-organiser Ollie Bell described the protest as “the most significant Trans & Intersex Pride Dublin march to date”. They added: “Its more important than ever for our allies to stand in solidarity with the trans and intersex communities.”

Those marching carried signs addressing the waiting lists for trans healthcare, and intersex advocacy and support.

Thousands march for Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin

The gathering centred around trans joy and first-time participant, Sadhbh Reddington, added: “The important message is no matter how much people try to hold us down, it is never going to work. Even if one kid or person somewhere sees this and gets the courage to come out and live their true lives and be their true selves, that’s enough for me.”

The march concluded with an empowering hour of speakers speaking on behalf of trans and intersex rights. Speakers included Trans and Intersex Pride organisers, representatives from Intersex Ireland, Rosa Social Feminist Movement, and a statement from the Traveller Community.

Speakers addressed some of the barriers to accessing trans healthcare, including decade long wait-lists, GPs refusing to provide blood tests, a lack of informed healthcare, and the demeaning questions posed by the national healthcare service that seem to be more concerned about gate-keeping than providing treatment.

Miriam, an organiser with Rosa, said: “If they want to make our lives a political tool, then we will give them a political response.”

Organiser Ollie Bell reminded us of Brianna Ghey, and how the young people responsible for her death were influenced by far-right hate speech which perpetuates “on-going cycle of violence and abuse”.

Clara, from Intersex Ireland, explained that 1.75% of the global population have intersex traits, roughly the same number of people who are natural redheads or twins in the global population. While these traits are usually healthy and harmless, cosmetic surgeries are being performed on children under two. Adding: “Despite what your secondary school biology teacher taught you, sex is really complicated.”

Later this month, Trans and Intersex Pride are organising a Transgress the NGS protest outside Saint Columcille’s Hospital at Loughlinstown on Saturday, July 22 to demand that the National Gender Service stop interfering with trans healthcare.

Saturday, July 8, also saw thousands marching at Limerick Pride Parade 2023.

Festival director Lisa Daly said: “This Pride marks the 30th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexual acts between men in Ireland…we marched in honour of our brothers and sisters who came before us and laid the path for our freedom. We wanted to spotlight and celebrate the power and resiliency of our community.”

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