A march and demonstration will take place this Saturday, the 20th of January as a response to the lack of transgender healthcare and legal recognition for non-binary and intersex individuals.

The protest has been organised by Noah Halpin and Luke Daly, both committee members of ITB’s Colours Soc.

Noah explains the shortcomings of the government in providing both adequate healthcare to transgender individuals and in recognising non-binary and intersex people:

“The protest is centred around the improvement of transgender healthcare. When we say transgender we’re using that as an umbrella term for all gender identities the only reason we have to do that is that non-binary people aren’t legally recognised in the state so we cant use a term that the state doesn’t recognise.”

Luke adds:

“Intersex individuals as well, for example, while the employment equality act does extend to trans individuals under gender, it does not extend to non-binary or intersex people, meaning that the state does not recognise either non-binary or intersex individual as people essentially. So we have to use trans as an umbrella term which is unfortunately not what we want.

Outdated Healthcare Procedures

The current public transgender healthcare system is outdated and through this protest, it is hoped that the entire queer community and its allies will come together in creating an open discussion demanding change.

“What we’re fighting for is a move away from a medical diagnostic model and moving more towards a model of informed consent where we make the choice of our own bodies,” says Noah also adding:

“We’re basically looking for improved trans healthcare, improved waiting lists, informed consent, no psychiatric diagnosis- we are not a diagnosis.”

Queer Power

Noah notes, “We’re looking for not just trans people, but for every gender identity, cis people, gay people, straight people [to attend the protest].”

Luke emphasised the need for supporting the trans community, who have always played a huge role in advocating for change:

“Our trans siblings have marched with us since the start of the queer revolution and stood by our side through marriage equality, through the MSM blood ban. The least we can do as queer folk is to stand beside our transgender community and say “hey, can you please give trans folk decent healthcare”.

Join The Fight

This protest takes place this Saturday, the 20th of January meeting at 2:00 pm at Merrion Square West. There will be a briefing, some speakers and then the protest will continue on a slow march down to Leinster House.

Once at Leinster House, a demonstration will take place where there will be several speakers. The protest has received support from many organisations and politicians, Senator David Norris has announced his support and attendance.

To find out more information, see the event page on Facebook