27
JUL
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Rainbow Support Services is a voluntary organisation that supports Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender individuals and their family and friends in the Mid-West region.
4-6Volunteer position available
To work with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Young People (aged 13-25) in the Sexual Orientation & Sexual Health Youth Peer Education Project and LGBT Youth Groups.
Office located at the Rainbow Support Services, 1st Floor Office, Foxes Bow, William Street, Limerick. Work covering the Mid-West region.
If you have spare time on your hands and are interested in helping out the youth then this is for you
Exciting voluntary positions available in Rainbow Support Services, We are looking for interested, motivated, committed people to volunteer as Peer Educators around Sexual Health Promotion, Sexual Orientation and LGBT Issues.
All training will be provided and credited and you will have support from the Youth Officer at all times.
If you think this is something that is of interest to you please come into the office for a chat, our Youth Officer Dee will be more than happy to run through the details with you or you can call on 061-310101 or 085-2850107. We are hoping to get at least 4-6 people to volunteer for the Peer Educator roles.
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27
JUL
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admin
LGBT Noise would like to announce the March for Marriage 2011.
They ask you, your friends, your family and your co-workers to MARCH FOR MARRIAGE in Dublin on Sunday 14th August 2011.
They will be meeting at 3pm by city hall at the top of Parliament street.
Bring as many people as you can and make some Noise about inequality.
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19
JUL
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admin
TENI Press Release: Gender Recognition Possible but Problematic
Transgender people forced to divorce
This morning the report of the Gender Recognition Advisory Group (GRAG) was launched by the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, TD. “We applaud Minister Burton for her decisive action in bringing the GRAG’s report to Cabinet and making it publicly available for further debate,” said Broden Giambrone, Director of Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI).
Deep Reservations about the Report
TENI welcomes the report as a step forward for trans people in Ireland. However, TENI has grave reservations concerning the proposed criteria to be met in order to obtain gender recognition, which will exclude many trans people and will discourage many more from seeking legal recognition.
Divorce
The requirement to exclude people in existing marriages or civil partnerships from the proposed gender recognition will force trans people to break up their relationships in order to obtain recognition, causing serious hardship for trans people and their families.
“Some members of Ireland’s trans community are in loving marriages with children. In effect, this would force them to choose between the integrity of their family and accessing a basic human right. No-one should be asked to make such a choice,” declared Giambrone. “Ireland is a progressive country whose Constitution affords particular protection to the family based on marriage. This proposal shows no respect for Ireland’s married trans families. The idea of forcing a happy couple to live apart and divorce is unimaginable.”
This morning, GRAG Chairperson Oliver Ryan admitted that the proposal left couples in “a practically impossible position”. The proposal is also contrary to the recent Council of Europe report dealing with gender recognition that encourages the separation of marriage from the legal recognition process.
Medical Criteria
The requirement of either a formal diagnosis of gender identity disorder (GID) or having undergone gender reassignment surgery is also problematic. “The medical criteria are very restrictive and will act as an exclusionary barrier to legal recognition for some trans individuals. A diagnosis of GID also excludes intersex people, many of whom who would benefit enormously from accessing gender recognition legislation.” Said Giambrone. “Furthermore, such a requirement would necessitate healthcare professionals with experience in gender identity who are trained to provide this service to people throughout the country. We’re simply not there yet.”
“Open Door”
This morning Minister Burton positively reaffirmed her commitment to an open and transparent process that will ensure ongoing engagement and dialogue on the proposed legislation noting that there is an “open door”.
“This is a key moment for trans human rights. Ireland has the opportunity to lead Europe in progressive gender recognition legislation. We are eagerly looking forward to engaging the Minister and her staff to ensure that the experiences and voices of trans people are reflected and represented in the draft legislation” Concluded Broden Giambrone.
The GRAG report and TENI’s submission to the GRAG are both available at www.teni.ie
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact TENI on (01) 873 3575 or email news@teni.ie
TENI’s Director Broden Giambrone is available for interview, and can be contacted on 085 178 8420. www.teni.ie
ABOUT TENI
Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) seeks to improve conditions and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families. TENI works in four main areas: support, education, advocacy and capacity building.
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19
JUL
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Invitation to Community Forum on 26 July:
Meeting to discuss GRAG Report and Next Steps
Yesterday Minister Burton launched the Gender Recognition Advisory Group (GRAG)'s report containing recommendations for gender recognition legislation. You can read the report here.
TENI released a press release to the media yesterday welcoming the progression of gender recognition and the Minister's decisive action to bring the GRAG's report to Cabinet and make it public and open for debate. The launch of the report was a much-anticipated event for the trans community and the culmination of years of legal challenges and advocacy by trans activists. However, upon reading the report TENI expressed grave reservations about the content. In our press release, we highlighted the severely problematic nature of two of the proposed criteria: divorce and diagnosis/surgery. While we chose just two of the criteria to focus on to maximise media coverage, the report proposes other criteria that are deeply troubling. These include (but are not limited to):
* the two-year "real life test"
* exclusion of intersex individuals
* minimum age of 18
* the composition of the panel
* the appeal process to the Circuit Court
(There is an excellent analysis of the GRAG report and launch here).
Many trans people and allies have contacted us to express how deeply disapointed, frustrated and angry they are about the contents of the report. TENI shares many of the same concerns and critiques.
The next few months will be pivotal in trying to positively influence gender recognition legislation and encourage changes to the criteria. Minister Burton has said there is an ‘open door’ for dialogue and we intend to engage with her on this. We believe Ireland can and should lead the way in trans human rights. TENI will write an in-depth response to the GRAG’s report with critiques and suggested amendments which we will submit to the Minister. We need to hear your feedback on the report to inform both its content and our overall strategy.
This is an open invitation to all trans people and allies to attend TENI’s Community Forum on the GRAG report and Next Steps:
Tuesday 26 July
6pm-8.30pm
Carmichael Centre
North Brunswick Street
Dublin 7
For directions: info@teni.ie or (01) 873 3575
The feedback you provide at the Community Forum will be instrumental in making sure we represent diverse trans identities and experiences. We want to make your voice heard.
We know that some people are interested in taking other forms of action around this. We have some ideas and we know you do too. The second part of the Community Forum will be used to brainstorm and discuss how as an organisation and a community we can best come together to influence positive and creative change.
Not in Dublin?
We know not everyone willl be able to make this forum, especially those who are not living in Dublin. We still want to hear from you. Contact us info@teni.ie or (01) 873 3575 with your feedback and ideas you have for next steps.
Come and make your voice heard.
*********
OTHER RESPONSES TO THE GRAG REPORT
FLAC Welcomes Transgender Report and Minister’s Commitment to Change the Law
ICCL Criticises ‘Flaw’ in ‘Broadly Positive’ Gender Recognition Proposals
TGEU- Irish Government Gender Recognition Advisory Group Report – A Missed Opportunity
Equality Authority Welcomes Gender Recognition Legislation
MEDIA COVERAGE
Irish Independent: Transgender legislation 'will tear families apart'
Irish Times: Transgender legislation pledged
Irish Examiner: Gender recognition legislation move ‘a step along the way’
Pink News: New Irish transgender laws ‘will break up families’
GCN: Transgender People May Be Forced to Divorce
The Journal: Transgender people will be forced to divorce to achieve recognition
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