230 ‘gender recognition certificates’ issued since 2015
Commenced in September 2015, the Gender Recognition Act provides for the preferred gender of a person to be fully recognised by the State for all purposes.
Dr Lydia Foy, a long term advocate who has lived as a woman since 1991, became the first person to be legally recognised by the Act.
An applicant who has reached 18 years of age can apply for a gender recognition certificate by way of self-determination. Where their birth was registered in the State, they may subsequently apply for a birth certificate in their preferred name and/or gender.
Teenagers between 16-18 have to apply to the courts through a parent or “next friend” for an exemption from the requirement to be over 18 years.
In that case the court application has to be accompanied by a certificate from the applicant’s treating endocrinologist or psychiatrist and also a certificate from an endocrinologist or psychiatrist who has no connection with the child.
Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar said that provision was included so as to balance the rights of children with the need to protect their interests at a vulnerable age.
At present there is no provision in the Act for children under the age of 16 to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate.
However, that could change. After the enactment of the legislation, Leo Varadkar wrote to Minister for Children Katherine Zappone asking her department to carry out research in the area of gender recognition for children to inform policy in the future.
Her department has been carrying out a consultation process with the relevant organisations on the issue.
Mr Varadkar said the original act had provided for a review of its operation.
“The review is due to begin in September 2017 and will include in its terms of reference the issue of gender recognition for children,” he said.
“A report the findings and conclusions will be published within a year of the commencement of the review.”
Last week the Gender Recognition (Amendment) Bill 2017, which had been introduced by Senator Fintan Warfield and co-signed by Senator David Norris and Senator Grace O’Sullivan, passed the second stage of the Seanad.
According to Transgender Equality Network Ireland, If enacted, it will amend the Gender Recognition Act by:
Removing the process for young people between 16 – 17 to receive gender recognition and putting them on equal (informed consent) criteria to those over 18.
Allowing for young people under 16 to receive gender recognition with parental consent.
Allowing for non-binary people to be specifically considered in the review of the Gender Recognition Act.
