We’re not freaks — we’re victims of bigotry
These calls are from men and women who are routinely denied access to health care, while those fortunate enough to have jobs are harassed in the workplace.
Why is it that the state and some nasty-minded citizens choose to single out transpeople for such inhumane treatment?
Are we the ones who took corrupt payments from property developers? No. Are we the ones who seized for ourselves a position of unchallenged power to gain access to children we could abuse? No.
Are we the ones who stashed away millions in offshore accounts to avoid our tax responsibilities as citizens of our country? No.
We are not criminals yet we are excluded from society in the most evil and systematic way.
What use is there in outing a trans colleague at work other than for a bit of juicy gossip for the equally narrow minded people who share the same canteen facilities.
In other post-colonial states the issue of a transsexuals' human rights and human rights per se has been addressed in full. Why not here? What is it within the Irish psyche that fosters this kind of xenophobic bullying?
We single out transpeople and try and rob them of the little dignity they have left after the health board shrinks have put them through their soul-destroying mill.
How can transpeople find their 'comfort zone' when all around promise to be on their side and then blab confidential medical information to all and sundry.
Don't tell me the Irish are a caring race. Yes, there are a few enlightened souls who live in the real world and don't hold on to de Valera's narrow view of citizenship.
The question is who loses out because of this? The transpeople? Well, actually no, we don't, because each one of us who survives the process goes on to better things and many just up sticks and moves to a more civilised country where they are valued for their talents, and not for their amusement value to those with small minds.
Transpeople are not freaks; they are ordinary people leading extraordinary lives.
In the struggle against a hostile society they develop an inner strength that far exceeds that of the oppressor. So the next time you meet a trans man or woman you might want to make the effort to get to know them.
Allow them the respect and dignity they so richly deserve and, who knows, you might reap more goodwill than you sow.
Diane Richards-Hughes,
Transgender Equality Network Ireland,
Dromonig,
Kilnamartra,
Macroom,
Co Cork.
Support line: 0872115576
