European Transgender Community meets for the first time in Eastern-Europe
Joint Press Release
29 April 2014
More than 200 international delegates expected in Budapest for the 5th European Transgender Council.
More than 200 delegates from nearly 50 countries will take part in the 5th European Transgender Council from 1 – 4 May “Trans*: Safe and Equal!” at the Rubin Hotel, Budapest.
The Hungarian Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, Laszlo Szekely, welcomes the trans people and human rights activists, civil society and policy makers to the city of Budapest. He emphasizes: “A legal and institutional anti-discrimination framework has been set up, but much more needs to be done to make safety and equality “shared values for every human being”.
Wiktor Dynarski, TGEU co-chair, is enthusiastic about the chosen host-city: “This is our first Council in Central-Eastern Europe! It is about time we brought our work to spaces that are important to our members and communities living a bit further from the West.”
The Maltese Minister for Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties, Hon. Helena Dalli will open the largest European trans human rights gathering and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navy Pillay will address the delegates through a video message. Three panel debates on legal gender recognition, protection from violence and transgender equality will follow.
The co-hosts aim with the event to contribute to an increased safety of trans people in Europe. “Research shows that persons challenging gender norms are over-proportionally affected by violence and discrimination, often on a daily level. Legal protection on grounds of gender identity and gender expression is lacking almost everywhere across Europe. Trans organisations do a tremendous job on the ground to inform trans people of their rights and hold their governments accountable for a lack of protection.” explains Julia Ehrt, Executive Director of TGEU.
“We were happy to be chosen and are delighted to bring this event a bit more east than ever before. Trans people are under great pressure to remain quite invisible in Hungary and this is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness on trans issues. Hosting the Council creates attention and helps establishing dialogues on the national level.” says Barnabás Hidasi, President of Transvanilla, co-hosts of the event.
An important tool for achieving equality is the ability to monitor it. TGEU will launch its Trans Rights Map 2014 in Budapest at a press conference May 1st at 11am at the Rubin Hotel. The Map and Index show each year how trans people’s human rights are protected in Europe.
ENDS
Press Conference: Thursday, May 1st 11am – noon, Rubin Hotel (Dayka Gábor Street 3., 1118 Budapest)
Registration for the Council is still possible at www.tgeu.org/council2014_registration
More information on the Council and program can be found at www.tgeu.org/council2014
The 5th European Transgender Council opens officially at May 2nd 10am.
Press Contacts:
Transvanilla Vice-President Krisztina Orban is available for interviews and can be reached at: orbank@transvanilla.hu and phone (cell) +36 30 406 6633.
TGEU Executive Director Dr. Julia Ehrt is available for interviews and can be reached at: julia@tgeu.org and phone (cell) +491781726336.
TGEU Co-Chair Wiktor Dynarski is available for interviews and can be reached at: wiktor@tgeu.org and phone (cell): +48 609 585 095.
Transgender Europe is a Europe-wide not-for-profit network with 80 member organizations working for the equality of all trans people in Europe. www.tgeu.org
Transvanilla Transgender Association is not-for-profit organization which advocates for the interests of trans, gender non-conform and intersex people in Hungary. http://transvanilla.hu
Key Terms:
Trans or transgender people have a gender identity which is different to the gender assigned at birth. This includes people who intend to undergo, are undergoing, or have undergone gender reassignment as well as those who prefer or choose to present themselves differently to the expectations of the gender assigned to them at birth.
Gender identity is understood to refer to each person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth, including the personal sense of the body (which may involve, if freely chosen, modification of bodily appearance or function by medical, surgical or other means) and other expressions of gender, including dress, speech and mannerisms. (Yogyakarta Principles)
Legal Gender Recognition is the official recognition of a person’s gender identity including the registered gender and name(s) in public registries and key documents. The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly ruled on gender identity recognition and its conditions, strengthening the human rights of trans people.