No: 14 TENI | Pocketmags.com

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No: 14 TENI

When I joined TENI eight years ago, Ireland was a different place regarding trans rights and social inclusion. There was little awareness of trans issues from multiple different perspectives. However, over the last decade massive changes have ensued.

On the tenth anniversary of TENI, its board and staff meet President Michael Higgins at Áras an Uachtarain

Gender recognition legislation is one of the main changes that took place during this period, coming from a place where Dr Lydia Foy fought for her rights in isolation. I would like to think TENI helped her fight along those lines, to secure what is seen now as one of the world’s most progressive gender recognition.

Education on two levels were seriously lacking in Ireland. On one level it was about changing attitudes through education and media, which was essential to help Irish society gain an insight into the lived experiences of the trans community. On another level TENI sought to gain a foothold within the Irish school system to help trans students gender transition in an educational environment. This was essential for providing a high level of education to young trans people, which in turn will provide the trans leaders of the future.

Trans healthcare was also one of the most serious issues for our community. Most especially, having to attend a health professional with little to no knowledge in the area of trans-related healthcare was demoralising and frustrating. However, currently TENI provide training to healthcare professionals in all regions of Ireland, and to a host of different services.

In addition, TENI stood firm and resolute in ensuring that our voices were heard within the HSE, regarding the development of a respectful trans-related healthcare service, which will in due course be based on international best practice. Recently, hearing that ten new positions will be filled within an existing and new service for trans young people was heartening.

Although these areas are significant factors in ensuring trans people are respected in Irish society, the area that will always be close to my heart is family support. When I started in TENI I had recently lost my mother and in turn my family of origin. To think that in 2018 we have five family support groups in various regions of Ireland makes my heart soar. TransParenCI is filling a massive void and aiding trans people to undertake gender transition with an important component present in their lives, that of family members wrapping around them, providing comfort and love. This is essential for humans, and this is what we are.

Vanessa Lacey is the Health and Education Manager at TENI, www.teni.ie

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