Proposed legislation to give legal recognition to transgender people

on 07/09/2012 11:26:59

Groups representing transgender people have given a qualified welcome to plans by the Government to give them legal recognition.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton said that the legislation will be published shortly and be given to a Dáil committee for discussion.

However, the Minister said that legal advice from the Attorney General means a proposal that will cause 'forced divorces' of transgender people will remain because of the constitutional protection of marriage.

Vanessa Lacey from Transgender Equality Network Ireland said that the law would "drag apart" happy relationships.

"What our legislation is proposing [is] that we force divorce - we separate these people," she said.

"Here we are developing parent and family support groups and then our Government is saying: 'Let's just drag them apart'.

"It's not acceptable."