Some in Fianna Fáil think that those who wish to have their gender legally recognised as the gender they acquire do so for financial gain or to fiddle welfare systems.
This is news to me! I don’t get how someone who changes their gender is better off financially (particularly as women still only earn 4/5ths of the income earned by men.) I don’t see how there can be better welfare entitlements based on gender either unless it’s to be recognised as an opposite sex couple?
Also who would put themselves through acquiring a new gender to do so?
In a report on the governments intentions to introduce legislation next year on the matter as per the Programme for Government, it was stated that
‘Fianna Fáil were concerned that people would seek to change their gender for reasons other than psychological or medical, such as welfare or other entitlements.’
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Maybe they think someone could continue claiming under their old identity? Surely pretty easy for Social Welfare to spot given the tiny numbers of people involved.
You mean someone will claim as male one day and female the next?
I bet you the equivalent of a week’s SW payment that this is about lone mothers! You see, we’re all money grabbing spongers/sluts etc etc. Also as we have a male breadwinner system of SW, you can’t qualify for the one-parent family payment if you reside with a partner of the opposite sex, but the same assumptions aren’t made (i.e. that a man is carrying you financially) if you have a woman in residence. I KID YOU NOT. Watch this space, Mammy Hen, lone mothers will be mentioned in this madness somewhere. I promise you.
@ Frances- only problem with that scenario Frances is that once civil partnership comes in or for that matter gay marriage same sex co- habitors ( even those not in a sexual relationship) will be under scrutiny by social welfare. I know of at least 3 cases were social welfare have questioned same sex couples living together and tried to apply the co habitation rule in the last 18mths. Thats why I cant understand orgnanisations fighting poverty and discrimination against those in poverty signing up so quickly to supporting CP and gay marriage without any protections on preventing this kind of discrimination. Where is the poverty-proofing on either position?
Oh Lordy! Where’s don’t ask, don’t tell when ya need it Mary Hanafin?
This line about changing gender for financial gain is an amazing statement from some in FF and shows little understanding of the issues. This is a human rights issue, where transgender people should be allowed to regularise their legal status in line with their gender realignment.
The European court of Human Rights ruled on the 11th July 2002 in Christine Goodwin v The United Kingdom, Case No 28957/1995, that, “The UK Government had discriminated based on the following : Violation of Articles 8 and 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights” following this the UK Government had to introduce new legislation to comply, which they did in 2004.
In Ireland seven years later we are only one of two countries in Europe not to have complied which is a complete disgrace.
Dammit!! FF have foiled me again. If it wasn’t for those meddling Greens I’d be raking in the Childers Allowance…as soon as I’d borrowed a kid or two.
Hey,
Cat McIlroy of TENI has been in touch to say that neither Dr Foy nor her solicitor has heard anything about the case being dropped.
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20091124.xml&Node=H11&Page=48
388. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs Information Zoom if, in view of the commitment in the revised programme for Government to legislate for transgender citizens right for their acquired gender to be recognised by the State, she now plans to discontinue its appeal in a case (details supplied) to the Supreme Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42886/09]
Minister for Social and Family Affairs In the revised Programme the Government accepts the need to provide legal recognition for transsexuals in their acquired gender. I will be moving to progress this matter in the immediate future. The means by which legal recognition will be effected may include legislation and in any event will require careful consideration and consultation.