Irish Times, Ireland


Saturday, October 20, 2012

Ireland could be gay rights model - activist

ORLA TINSLEY


IRELAND COULD be a model in Europe on lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and intersex (LGBTI) rights if it chose to be, said the
director of an international human rights organisation yesterday.

Mary Lawlor of Dublin-based Frontline Defenders also urged the
Government to provide gender recognition for transgender individuals
in Ireland.

Ms Lawlor was speaking after a panel discussion at the International
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s European
conference held in Dublin this week.

The event is the largest LGBTI conference in Europe and 235
participants from 42 countries are taking part.

“If Ireland chose it could be a model for Europe,” she said.
“Obviously political will is very important in all of this and
certainly great strides have been made – however I think it’s always
the case where any group is marginalised you have to fight apathy.

“Transgender people are people who are multiply discriminated against
in every way and I would urge the Government to bring in legislation
and make sure their rights are provided for.”

Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of the Lydia Foy case, where the
High Court ruled in favour of Lydia Foy, a transgender woman who
lobbied for 15 years to have her gender recognised.

In 2007 the Supreme Court found the government in breach of the
European Convention on Human Rights. In 2010 the government
established an inter-departmental group to create a method of
recognition for transgender people and in 2011 the Gender Recognition
Advisory Group released a report with a promise of legislation to
follow.

However no gender recognition legislation has yet been passed in Ireland.


© 2012 irishtimes.com

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/1020/1224325505089.html