Irish President signs progressive Gender Recognition Act into law
The President of Ireland has signed the state’s new Gender Recognition Act into law – meaning transgender people will be legally recognised this year.
Until now, the Republic of Ireland has provided no legal recognition for transgender people at all – but following a protracted legal battle with trans woman Dr Lydia Foy, the government last year committed to passing a trans recognition law.
The bold new Gender Recognition Bill, which passed through Parliament without issue this month, includes sweeping changes to allow transgender people to gain legal recognition without seeing a doctor or needing medical treatment.
The bill, which is one of a number of landmark LGBT reforms set to become law in Ireland this year, was signed on Wednesday (July 22) by Irish President Michael D Higgins – paving the way for recognition by autumn.
Broden Giambrone of the Transgender Equality Network Ireland said: “This is an exciting moment in the history of trans rights.
“The Gender Recognition Act is now law and trans people will now be able to be legally recognised in their true gender.”
“The Government has informed us that the Bill will be commenced by the end of the summer. This means that individuals should have their gender legally recognised by the autumn.”
The country has also passed same-sex adoption laws this year, and the Irish public overwhelmingly voted for same-sex marriage in a referendum.
Ireland follows Argentina, Denmark, Malta and Colombia in allowing transgender people to self-determine outside of the medical process.
In the UK, a transgender person is required to get opinions from two medical professionals.
