Call to extend gender laws in Ireland

There should be no legal age restrictions on allowing young people to identify as transgender and teachers should be given specific training in how to respond to pupils facing the situation.

Teenagers and young adults who identify as transgender urged the moves at the launch of a nine-month Government review of existing policy in the area.

Under plans announced by Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty, the Government is to review the 2015 Gender Recognition Act to examine whether gaps in its effectiveness need to be addressed.

The review is due to be completed by next summer and will be led by Belong director Moninne Griffith. It will examine whether to extend gender recognition rules to teenagers aged 16 and 17, or potentially those who are younger.

Photo By Cobber17 [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons