"GID Ireland Welcomes the Governments Acceptance of the GRAG Report"

4th September 2011

PRESS RELEASE

GID Ireland Welcomes the Governments Acceptance of the GRAG Report and Commitment to Introduce New Gender Recognition Legislation

GID Ireland welcomes the government’s recent announcement to introduce Gender Recognition Legislation, and that the new legislation will be based upon the recommendations of the Gender Recognition Advisory Group’s Report.

We particularly welcome the criteria to be used as the basis for applying for a new birth certificate. Whereby, either

• A formal diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder/Gender Dysphoria Or
  
• People who are post-GRS Or
• Proven commitment to living in the new gender role for the remainder of one’s life.

is required.

However, in welcoming the government’s announcement we are disappointed by the exclusion of those married persons who may also wish to apply for their new birth certificate. But we completely disagree with the unfounded allegations being made in certain quarters that this is a deliberate attempt by the government to use our Constitution to discriminate against married person's caught in this very difficult situation. We accept that it is for the people of Ireland and them alone who can make the necessary changes to the Constitution.

We are also very concerned about the terminology which will be used within the Gender Recognition Legislation. As stated in our submission to the Gender Recognition Advisory Group, due to the extremely offensive and stigmatising nature of all “trans” terms, we are strongly of the view that the only terminology which is appropriate for inclusion within the legislation are those of the diagnostic terms Gender Identity Disorder and Gender Dysphoria. However, as the term “disorder” is also regarded as offensive to some, we are equally happy with the sole use of the term Gender Dysphoria, as per the UK’s Gender Recognition Act, 2004. We believe this to be imperative if the government and those most affected by the proposed legislation are not to be embarrassed by the problems which will inevitably result from the use of any of the more ambiguous “trans” terms. We urge the government to avoid this by including only the most appropriate terminology, as also proposed in the DSM V classification.

We believe it is important not only for this present generation affected by Gender Identity Disorder/Gender Dysphoria, but for future generations to come that the legislation is enacted in a way which will ensure their privacy, dignity, and therefore their future happiness.

Press Release Ends