Trans Equality Together is a coalition working to create an Ireland where trans and non-binary people are equal, safe and valued. The objectives of the coalition are to:

• Promote positive attitudes towards trans and non-binary people;
• Counter the negative and false messages about trans people that have been circulating in recent years; and
• Advocate for policy and legislative changes that will improve the lives of trans people and make Ireland a more equal society for all.

Trans Equality Together is led by TENI, Belong To and LGBT Ireland, alongside other members from civil society organisations.

Why do we need Trans Equality Together?

Trans Equality Together is working to create an Ireland where trans people are equal, safe and valued. We want to promote positive attitudes towards trans people.

Legal and civil protections for trans people have increased in recent decades. Internationally, trans people are becoming better represented in the media. There has been a visible shift to trans representation in all areas of society over the past decade.

However, visibility does not automatically lead to widespread social acceptance.

Despite improved visibility and better legal protections for trans people in recent years, internationally, attacks on trans people’s rights are increasing and are focused on hindering or repealing legal reforms on gender recognition; halting medical care; limiting civil protections; and decimating gender equality.

Trans people in Ireland are a tiny minority of the population whose voices are rarely heard. There are attacks pitching trans rights against women’s and children’s rights. There is no conflict between trans or women’s or children’s rights – they are all human rights.

Trans people have been marginalised, denied access to healthcare, and demonised in the press. The 2016 LGBT Ireland report [1] carried out by Trinity College Dublin found that:

• 1 in 4 trans people have been punched, hit or physically attacked in public.
• 1 in 3 have experienced online harassment.
• 1 in 5 have experienced sexual violence.
• Only 40% of trans people feel safe expressing their gender identity publicly, with 1 in 10 saying they would never do so.
• 49% of trans people have a history of self-harm.
• 76% have experienced suicide ideation.
• Trans people are more likely to attempt suicide than lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

Those attacking trans rights are spreading misinformation and villainising an extremely marginalised group – trans people are a tiny minority of the population.

We do not want to see divisive rhetoric and villainisation of trans people taking hold in Ireland.

Read more about our policy issues here, and find out how you can join Trans Equality Together here.