The Need for Trans Positivity
By Claire Watson (Features Editor)
Now more than ever, trans allyship is needed. With the tragic death of Brianna Ghey, a 16 year old transgender girl, it has never been clearer that trans lives are at risk. A transphobic environment has been brewing in the United Kingdom for some time. The transphobic campaign led by J.K Rowling has fuelled British media with a violent hatred towards transgender individuals. Under the leadership of Rishi Sunak this bigotry has become apparent in policy, as the prime minister blocks Scotland’s gender recognition reform bill, which would allow individuals aged 16 and older to receive a gender recognition certificate without a psychiatric diagnosis.
This bill is crucial, as political theorist and trans activist Abigail Thorne explains, “There’s no way of knowing whether gender dysphoria is a real diagnostic pattern or just a collective invention.” The assessment of gender dysphoria follows a behavioural model that asks individuals invasive questions pertaining to topics such as masturbation habits and sexual activity. Thorne continues, “Getting trans healthcare in England and a lot of legal transition too, requires you to go through that interrogation first.” What is important about the gender recognition reform bill, is that it would allow trans teenagers to avoid this humiliating assessment.
In the United Kingdom, if a transgender person is prepared to undergo this assessment to obtain a gender dysphoria diagnosis, a long waiting list only worsens the process. As of May 2022, the NHS’ (National Health Service) Gender Clinic notes that those who are currently receiving their first appointments, were initially referred in January 2018. In Ireland, the NGS (National Gender Service) they are receiving patients who were referred 3 to 3 and a half years ago. Though, according to a Transgender Europe (TGEU) study, the waiting time for a first appointment is 7 years.
TGEU recorded that Ireland is the worst country within the European Union for trans healthcare. The study was divided into 6 categories; including the need for a psychiatric diagnosis to hormonal treatment and/or surgery and the waiting times for a first appointment within trans healthcare. The other categories included the type of healthcare available, groups excluded from or forced onto longer waiting lists, the youngest age to receive puberty blockers and the youngest age to receive hormone treatment. Ireland received 1 point due to its coverage of healthcare. In this category, 2 points was the maximum.
The reason I turn to British politics to understand the environment of transphobia, is that statistics relating to the quality of life for trans individuals in Ireland is sparse. Though, the topic has been entering current media with the case of Enoch Burke. Burke was suspended from his position as a teacher by refusing to comply with a student’s and the school’s request to refer to a student by their correct pronouns. Following his suspension Burke continued to show up on school grounds, to which he was given a court order to stay away from the school. Failing to follow this court order, he was jailed for 108 days.
In turning to British media for a perspective on the reality transgender people face, it can be easy to put a distance between Ireland and our neighbour across the Irish sea. We can desensitise ourselves to hate-crimes and deaths, like that of Brianna Ghey. In reality, this instance happened but a couple of hours away. Borders, when so close together, do not entirely divide our social and political spheres. In reality this is a global epidemic. The transphobia in the British literary scene is unfortunately present in Ireland. Novelist John Boyne’s defence of J.K Rowling, is one such example. When we read stories of transphobia and bigotry, we must remind ourselves that this epidemic is Irish too.
On this note, there is one Irish resource that I have found on the life of trans people in Ireland, courtesy of Orla Egan’s Cork LGBT Archive, though to clarify this one particular story relates to Dublin. A trans history of Cork has been difficult to find, and I hope that one day it will be recovered. The archive preserves the “Friends of Eon” a glamorous group of trans people who strived to create a safe environment for trans people to socialise. The group was founded in 1978 by two trans women; Claire Farrell and Lola. It was the first trans group in Ireland. The archive showcases a Friends of Eon membership card.
According to the Project Arts Centre, the group was first inspired by the UK’s Beaumont Society. The Beaumont Society was a similar organisation founded in 1966 which is now a registered charity fighting to improve the quality of life for trans individuals. The Friends of Eon held their social events in what was once the Parliament Inn in Temple Bar. Claire and Lola advertised Friends of Eon with the phrase “Come dressed as you like,” to bolster an atmosphere of zero judgement, freedom and nonconformity.
The preservation of queer history is important, as the existence of the LGBTQ+ community is so often undermined by the myth that we are a modern invention. Queer people have existed since the dawn of time, only homophobia and transphobia are modern constructions. Greek mythology points to the worship of queer figures, with stories such as that of Apollo and Hycainthus, Zeus and Ganymede, and Hermaphroditus being woven through the folklore of the Ancient Greeks. There may be some queerness in Irish mythology too, though unfortunately it is Cú Chulainn’s anal penetration of Ferdia with his gáe bulg that kills his “heart companion.”
After the Friends of Eon unfortunately fizzled out between the 1980s and 1990s, Claire went on to work with the Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI). TENI is a fantastic organisation that has been fighting hard for trans equality in Ireland. While offering support services for trans people across Ireland, TENI also aims to educate and advocate for trans rights. For allies, TENI is a great resource to learn more about the reality of trans people in Ireland, while also learning of events and gatherings to bring attention and fight against the transphobia rampant in Irish society.
Throughout LGBTQ+ history, organisations such as TENI have played crucial roles in equality. The Cork LGBT Archive also tells the story of the Quay Co-op. Its turquoise facade is a familiar sight to the people of Cork. The co-operative began as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people, though there is little evidence of the membership of trans individuals. In the 1980s the Cork Gay Collective operated from the Quay Co-op. The archive documents events run by the collective, such as protests against the introduction of the eighth amendment in 1983, the 1991 Cork Lesbian and Gay Film Festival in conjunction with the historic Film Festival, and the publication of Diverse Communities which captured the lives of the LGBTQ+ community in 1994. These events and organisations reinforce trans visibility, while providing safe havens for those threatened by society’s bigotry. These groups have become emblems of culture and community, and it is important to commemorate their legacies.
Another great organisation is the Small Trans Library, based in Dublin, and with a branch in Glasgow. At its surface, the Small Trans Library is what it says on the tin. It runs a lending system featuring the writings of trans authors and poets, and hosts reading groups and events showcasing trans-authored works. Ultimately the library seeks to uplift the trans community and create connections between trans people and creators across Ireland. On top of this, the library runs a mutual aid service for trans people. The library is open for both financial and book donations, and is worth checking out.
In the current social climate, being trans can be a frightening experience. Rigid gender roles, influenced by patriarchal values, make being trans a stifling reality. This is only worsened by the hatred that is festering across the country. Tragedies like that of Brianna Ghey are all too common for trans people, with the media being a mine-field of negativity surrounding trans existences. Right now, celebrating trans lives, both living and lost, is vital. Trans is beautiful, and must be treated as such. Uplift your trans siblings and speak out about bigotry. Engage with organisations that are seeking to help trans people, and learn our history. What we need is trans allyship; solidarity within and outside the community. We are nothing if we are not working together.
