TENI welcomes Equality Tribunal Decision on Transgender Case

19 Apr 2011

TENI Calls for introduction of Gender Recognition Legislation

Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) welcomes the Equality Tribunal's decision in the Louise Hannon case to extend protections to transgender people.

TENI Chairperson, Martine Cuypers said: "This is a significant step for transgender equality in Ireland. An important precedent has been set in recognising the inclusion of transgender people under the gender ground of equality legislation.

"We also congratulate Louise Hannon on winning this landmark case following her four-year legal battle. Ms. Hannon's case highlights that transgender people regularly experience discrimination in the workplace as well as challenges in accessing and retaining employment.

"TENI urgently calls on the government to fulfil its commitment to extend the protections of the equality legislation to transgender people through the explicit inclusion of 'Gender Identity and Gender Expression' as protections under the gender ground," she said.

Gender Recognition Legislation urgently required

TENI urges the government to introduce comprehensive Gender Recognition Legislation for Ireland. Gender Recognition Legislation is promised in the Programme for Government and a working group is due to provide recommendations to the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton shortly.

"This case highlights the importance of a proper legislative framework for gender recognition and we urge Minister Burton to move forward with drafting and enacting this legislation as quickly as possible," Ms. Cuypers added.

TENI was established in 2005 and represents Ireland's transgender community. TENI provides support services for transgender people across the country. At present TENI facilitates six support groups across the country in Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. A further service is opening in Sligo shortly. 300 people accessed TENI's support services in 2010.

Further Information
Martine Cuypers, Chairperson, TENI: (01) 873 3575 / (087) 135 9816.