Transgender people face uphill struggle

Some high-profile transgender people have brought their status into more mainstream society, but experts say the supports for those who need to transition in Ireland are sadly lacking.

IT took Lydia Foy 21 years to win her legal battle with the Irish government. In 1993, this transgender woman asked for a birth certificate which would recognise her preferred gender. When she was refused, she took legal action which resulted in the High Court ruling that the absence of Irish legislation recognising transgender people breached the European Convention on Human Rights.

Last week, the government finally announced it would enact this legislation early next year. It also paid Dr Foy, a retired dentist, compensation (about €50,000) for its failure to do so to date.