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PRESS RELEASE
19 JANUARY 2012
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IRELAND TO HOST FOURTH EUROPEAN TRANSGENDER COUNCIL
The 4th European Transgender Council will be held in Dublin, 7-9 September 2012 at Dublin City University.
The Council is the largest European forum for transgender rights and activism. Organized by Transgender Europe (TGEU) and a local host organization every second year, the conference attracts trans activists, policy makers, allies and supporters from across Europe. With over 200 delegates, first class key note speakers and panelists, ample workshops and a diverse cultural programme, the Council sets the agenda for European trans politics and celebrates Europe’s lively trans community.
Thanks to a successful bid from Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) this year’s council will bring hundreds of trans activists to Ireland.
“The Council is very important for the European trans movement,” said TGEU Executive Director Julia Ehrt. “Right now there is real momentum for trans human rights across Europe. The European Transgender Council provides a vital space for trans activists to come together and instigate real change. We are very happy to have a reliable partner in TENI to jointly organize this important event.”
“We were delighted to be chosen,” said TENI Director Broden Giambrone. “This is a great opportunity for the trans activists in Ireland to meet with their peers from across Europe. Trans people are often stigmatized and isolated, and one of TENI’s goals is to increase trans visibility in Ireland. Hosting the Council will do just that.”
The Council serves as an opportunity to share information and strategic approaches, and to socialise. TGEU Co-Chair Wiktor Dynarski commented, “We are looking forward to welcoming the European trans communities to the Emerald Isle for our fourth Council. A great deal has happened in the time since our last council: there are lessons to learn and milestones to celebrate. We will surely see old friends and make new ones”.
“The Council also puts a spotlight on Ireland.” Giambrone added. “With Gender Recognition Legislation on the cards, this is the perfect year to highlight Ireland’s trans community within a European context.”
Ireland is one of the last EU countries to enact gender recognition legislation which is a necessary step in protecting the human rights of trans people in Ireland. At the moment, the proposed legislation contains controversial criteria, including a recommendation that would force couples to divorce or dissolve their civil partnerships prior to accessing recognition. The legislation is slated to come before the Oireachtas (National Parliament) this year.
Registration details and scholarship information for the Council will be made available in the coming weeks at http://www.tgeu.org/council2012.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact TENI on +353 1 8733575 or email news@teni.ie.
TENI Director Broden Giambrone is available for interview and can be contacted on
+353 87 1359816.
www.teni.ie
Contact TGEU Secretary Maria Sundin by email secretary@tgeu.org for more information and interview.
www.tgeu.org
ABOUT TENI
Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) seeks to improve conditions and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families. TENI works in four main areas: support, education, advocacy and capacity building.
ABOUT TGEU
Transgender Europe (TGEU) is a European network of trans and other organisations that support or work for the rights of all trans people in Europe. The mission of TGEU is to support and strengthen the trans movement and to be a powerful advocate for trans rights in Europe and beyond.