Irish society must recognise struggle of members of the trans community, Minister says

Irish society must recognise the struggle experienced by members of the trans community who are subjected to debate about their “very existence”, the Minister for Equality Roderic O’Gorman has said.

He was addressing the Dáil during a debate on LGBTQI+ issues just over a week after RTÉ’s Liveline programme sparked controversy with a three-day discussion on transgender people. The broadcaster came under fire from TDs during a near three-hour session which also focused on progress around LGBTQI+ rights and forthcoming legislation.

Mr O’Gorman said while Pride is celebrated, “we also have to recognise the struggles that many in the LGBTQI+ community continue to face, particularly right now those in the trans community who too often hear in public discourse their very existence debated”.

Ireland has made huge strides in recent decades, he said, but flagged a need to be aware of, and avoid, the kind of social regression seen in other countries.

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“To be in a situation where you see your human rights go backwards in your lifetime is something that must be truly, truly terrifying,” he said. “We really have to take it upon ourselves to make the extra effort to be informed and to listen the perspectives and experiences of those who still struggle and I would specify members of the trans community there.”

Last week, Dublin Pride ended its media partnership with RTÉ over the programme’s content which it said was unacceptable and extremely harmful.

RTÉ defended the programme. Peter Woods, head of Radio 1, said he was sorry people were hurt but “it is the nature of what we do that people are going to get hurt on one side of a discussion or on another side of the discussion”.

Despite that position, the programme continued to draw fire during Thursday’s Dáil exchange. Independent TD Thomas Pringle said allowing the programme to go ahead was “absolutely disgraceful”.

“The discussion gained nothing, it spread hate and misinformation and caused deep offence. Conversations like these only serve to divide and isolate,” he said. “How do we still live in a country where someone’s very existence can be questioned?”

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy was also highly critical of the national broadcaster, saying one of the most marginalised sections of the LGBTQI+ community was “subjected to the most appalling, unjustified and untruthful attacks”. He said much of the mainstream media was culpable, and referenced a boycott of The Irish Times “due to its repeatedly publishing transphobic content”.

Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly said she was “quite shocked at the outpouring of hate”, and said the trans community has demonstrated patience and dignity in the face of an “onslaught”.

Cian O’Callaghan of the Social Democrats said there was a unity in the LGBTQI+ community that would rally against any such attack. “We know from our history and from our lived experiences exactly what is happening and what these tactics are because we have seen them before. We know from the darker years that we have emerged from that those who are trying and seeking to attack and pick off parts of our community, that they will not stop there if they get the chance.”

An attack on any trans person, Mr O’Callaghan said, was an attack against the entire community.

Meanwhile, Dublin Pride said over 13,000 people have registered for this year’s parade with colour coded areas and matching wristbands required for entry.

Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin welcomed the launch of Dublin Pride Festival 2022 and announced funding of €54,000 towards its cultural elements. “It is not only an invitation from the LGBTQI+ community to everyone to attend the festival events but also to support the progress towards a more fair and inclusive society.”