EUROPE’S LARGEST FORUM for transgender rights and activism is to convene in Ireland later this year.

The European Transgender Council will be held in Dublin from September 7 to 9  after the Transgender Equality Network of Ireland won its bid to host the fourth ever meeting.

Organised by Transgender Europe (TGEU), the forum has been held every second year since 2006.

The conference at Dublin City University is expected to be attended by trans activists, policy makers and supporters from across Europe.

“With over 200 delegates, key note speakers and panelists, workshops and a diverse cultural programme, the Council sets the agenda for European trans politics and celebrates Europe’s lively trans community,” the organisers said.

Right now there is real momentum for trans human rights across Europe. The European Transgender Council provides a vital space for trans activists to come together and instigate real change. We are very happy to have a reliable partner in TENI to jointly organize this important event.”

TENI director Broden Giambrone said the meeting will be a “great opportunity for trans activists in Ireland to meet their European peers”.

“Trans people are often stigmatised and isolated, and one of TENI’s goals is to increase trans visibility in Ireland. Hosting the Council will do just that,” he added.

Ireland is one of the last EU countries to enact gender recognition legislation which activists say is a necessary step in protecting the human rights of trans people in Ireland.

The current proposed legislation contains certain criteria , including a recommendation that would force couples to divorce or dissolve their civil partnerships prior to accessing recognition.

Legislation is due before the Oireachtas later this year.

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