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27 FEB 2015
ACT NOW for Gender Recognition
The Gender Recognition Bill will be debated in the Dáil on Thursday 5th March. There is still time to lobby for changes to be made to the Bill based on principals of human rights and best-practice. It's critically important that issues are raised in the debate and that trans voices are at the centre of discussions on legislation that will impact our lives. Please ACT NOW!
Lobbying Your TDs
The Gender Recognition Bill is an important step forward and will help protect trans and intersex people in Ireland. However, there are still extremely restrictive criteria within the proposed legislation that should be addressed:
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Pathologising and stigmatising medical criteria.
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Requirement to be single.
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Lack of viable legal recognition for individuals under 18.
To change the legislation, it is critical that each one of us uses our voices and engages with politicians. These issues must be raised during the Dáil debates.
TENI is encouraging trans people, family, friends and allies to speak to your TDs about why legal recognition is so important and to ask them to attend the debate and speak in support of the trans community. You can do this by email, phone, or in person by attending a TD's constituency clinic.
ACT NOW in Just 3 Easy Steps
Step 1 - Find out who your local TD is here. You can send them an email or make an appointment to visit them in their clinics.
Step 2 - Visit TDs and tell your stories. It's critical that you tell them why legal recognition matters to you and how it impacts on your everyday life, or the lives of people you care about. Encourage friends and family to do the same.
Step 3 - Ask them to attend the debate in the Dáil on 5th March and speak in support of trans and intersex people by raising the important issues.
Contact TENI for support and info about what you can say. TENI has many resources that can help you advocate and address the issues that matter. You can download or print our resources here. Sample emails are available here.
Gender Recognition Matters
It is incredibly important that the voices of trans people are listened to, and that our needs and experiences are at the centre of this debate.
TENI's video Gender Recognition Matters shows how gender recognition legislation will effect the people it is designed to protect. Please help us raise awareness by sharing this video on social media.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1. Gender Recognition Bill 2014 can be found here.
2. Transcripts from the Seanad debate are available by date (21 Jan, 28 Jan,3 Feb, 17 Feb).
3. The Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection's Report on the General Scheme of a Gender Recognition Bill 2013 is available here.
Shortcut http://www.teni.ie/act_now_for_gender_recognition