14 SEP 2011
Press Release: TENI Director challenges Brian Walsh’s discriminatory statements
TENI Director challenges Brian Walsh’s discriminatory statements
TENI Director Broden Giambrone today spoke out against statements made by Fine Gael deputy for Galway West, Brian Walsh.
In an Irish Times article (14 September), Walsh called on the Health Service Executive to cease funding gender reassignment surgeries for transgender people.
“Deputy Walsh’s statements about transgender healthcare were ill-informed, discriminatory and offensive,” said Giambrone. “Our leaders should be striving to create a just and equal society for all its members, not picking on a vulnerable group to score political points.”
“His designation of gender reassignment surgery as ‘cosmetic’ is categorically ill-informed,” said Giambrone. “The World Professional Association for Transgender Health – which is the international medical expert on transgender issues – clearly acknowledges the medical necessity of gender reassignment surgery and states unequivocally that such procedures are neither ‘cosmetic’ nor ‘elective’. The decision to undergo surgery is not one that is taken lightly or without deep consideration. For those individuals who pursue this path, surgery will not only increase mental and emotional wellbeing and quality of life but can also be life-saving.”
According to the controversial proposals for Gender Recognition Legislation, undergoing surgery will be one of the pathways to obtaining legal recognition in Ireland. “I found it deeply troubling that a representative of the government would belittle and trivialise such a procedure,” continued Giambrone. “In Ireland, every individual has the right to the best attainable standard of health care. Why is Deputy Walsh singling out a marginalised community? And who has the right to say that one person’s health is more important than another’s?” asked Giambrone.
"Transgender people are part of the fabric of Irish society. Whether recognised or not, they are part of our communities: they work, parent, study, pay taxes. They face stigma, prejudice and discrimination. As a country, we have done little to protect them.”
Ireland bears the ignoble distinction of being one of the last EU countries to provide for the legal recognition of transgender people, despite a high court ruling. On the 14th July, the Minister for Social Protection launched the Gender Recognition Advisory Group (GRAG) Report that contained recommendations for gender recognition legislation. If the legislation proceeds, transgender people will be forced to leave their marriage or civil partnership in order to gain recognition.
“Transgender people face extreme prejudice, violence, isolation as well as high rates of suicide,” said Giambrone. “Shame on Deputy Walsh for treating such a complex, serious issue with such flippancy.”
*Transgender refers to people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex assigned to them at birth.
ABOUT TENI
Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) seeks to improve conditions and advance the rights and equality of transgender people and their families. TENI works in four main areas: support, education, advocacy and capacity building. www.teni.ie
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact TENI on (01) 873 3575 or email news@teni.ie
TENI's Development Worker Vanessa Lacey is available for interview, and can be contacted on 085 147 7166.
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