John Lyons TD to launch landmark Human Rights Publication
Labour TD John Lyons will launch the new TENI publication Equality and Identity: Transgender and Intersex Experience in Ireland. The book will be launched in Wood Quay Civic Offices, Dublin at 6pm.
Speakers at the launch include: Colm O’Gorman (Executive Director, Amnesty International Ireland); Senator Katherine Zappone; Stephen O’Hare (Equality Officer, Irish Council of Civil Liberties); John Duffy (Senior Youth Worker, BeLonG To Youth Services); and Michael Farrell (Senior Solicitor, Free Legal Advice Centres). Farrell has represented Dr Lydia Foy in her struggle for legal recognition since 2005.
“This book marks a true milestone in terms of transgender and intersex human rights,” said the book’s editor Dr Orlaith O’Sullivan. “At the start of 2013 we approached organisations who work for trans rights across the island of Ireland, and every single one responded positively and contributed. It’s a great privilege to bring these voices together with those of trans people, who share experiences of daily life. This book opens our eyes to the very real challenges trans people face every day in Northern Ireland and in the Republic; walking down the street can be like running a gauntlet of judgement and prejudice.”
The book examines aspects of trans and intersex life across Ireland, from Recognition to Families, Equality to Employment and Hate Crime to Health. Other contributors to the book include: Dr Lydia Foy, Thomas Hammarberg (Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights 2006-12), Brian Merriman (Equality Authority), Garda Darren Coventry-Howlett (Garda Racial, Intercultural and Diversity Office, Oifig an Gharda Síochána), Joe Mac Suibhne (Principal, Coláiste Chilliain), Holly Greenberry (IntersexUK), Anne Tamar-Mattis (Advocates for Informed Choice) and Nthabiseng Mokoena (Transgender & Intersex Africa).
“One in 200 children born are affected by an Intersex condition,” continued O’Sullivan, “yet we have no personal stories, no stand-alone advocacy group for Intersex rights in Ireland. And so, we turned outwards. We were delighted that organisations from the UK, USA and Africa were able to contribute to the book, forming our chapter ‘Intersex experience: Speaking for the Silent’.
“This book represents a true joining of forces”, concluded O’Sullivan. “Equality & Identity shows us why: why Recognition matters, why it’s crucial to raise awareness across Ireland, why trans equality is something we all need to get behind – so that we can enjoy our fundamental human rights and our shared humanity.”
TENI’s publication Equality and Identity: Transgender and Intersex Experience in Ireland follows on from their 2012 book Touching the Surface: Trans Voices in Ireland and their 2009 research report Transphobia in Ireland.
Launch details
6-8pm, Friday 15 March 2013
Wood Quay Civic Offices, Dublin
About the Foy Case
Ruling on the Foy Case more than five years ago, Justice McKechnie declared Ireland to be in breach of the European Convention of Human Rights by not providing a pathway for legal recognition for Dr Foy. Ireland remains in breach to this day. In January 2013 Dr Foy issued fresh proceedings against the Irish Government. For further details see www.flac.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. www.teni.ie