THIS GENDER RECOGNITION Bill, which promises to provide for State recognition of the acquired gender of a person, was debated in the Seanad this week.

While this has been hailed as a massive step forward for transgender people in this country, it still excludes a number of groups within the community. The legislation would only applies to those over 18 and could only be availed of if a person is single.

In a moving video released by the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) this week, people from the trans community in Ireland – young, middle-aged, married and single – explain what this legislation means for them.

Some will have to choose between a recognition of who they are and their marriage, which survived the trials of their transition.

Basically, it’s something that I can’t avail of, unless I split up my family by divorcing Helen.

But this new law, if enacted, would allow a transgender person to get a new birth certificate that accurately reflects their gender. It may seem like a small victory, but this one change will mean the world to them.

“I think it’s important that you’re remembered for the person that you are. I mean it would be tremendous because I could be who I am legally in every respect and of course my birth cert would be changed to reflect who I am. That’s massive. That would be a great thing to happen to me before I die.

Read: Mixed reaction from transgender group to gender recognition bill>