Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My guests are sitting in my party's room.

I thank Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh for bringing forward legislation in Private Members' time. I also thank the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Katherine Zappone, who, as a Senator, also brought forward legislation in Private Members' time. I join Senators in acknowledging the former Minister of State, Senator Kevin Humphreys, and Deputy Joan Burton who played their part in progressing this legislation.

I note that Senator Gerard P. Craughwell was unable to be here today. He was deeply disappointed that he was unable to co-sign the Bill, although I had committed to work with Senator David Norris and also Senator Grace O'Sullivan of the Green Party.

Senator David Norris has mentioned that trans people and young LGB people between the ages of seven and 12 years come to terms with their identity and sexuality. We know, however, that the majority come out closer to 21 years of age. That means that there is a gap of up to 14 years which young people spend in silence. This legislation will go some way towards aiding them.

Senator Jerry Buttimer mentioned statistics and the public space the referendum on civil marriage equality occupied in comparison with the issue of gender recognition on which many of the people seated in the Visitors Gallery lobbied in silence. The statistics - I guess they are the latest available figures - show that there have been around 500 civil marriage registrations compared and that only 150 gender recognition certificates have been issued.

I listened to Senator Grace O'Sullivan talk about how laws could help to change perceptions. Senator Jerry Buttimer mentioned this morning that, with Senator David Norris and I, he had met the Russian ambassador who seemed entirely ignorant of the ability of laws to change perceptions in society. Senator Grace O'Sullivan also mentioned how this was not a fad for young people but their life. It was a real pleasure and privilege to listen to Kirsty and Dylan at the briefing yesterday. I thank them for coming both yesterday and today. After the briefing I mentioned to Dylan that I had come out publicly at a Sinn Féin Ard Fheis when I was 16 years old. I said I had done so because I had felt there was a political imperative to do so. I do not think there is a political imperative to do so any more. I believe that by speaking out someone like Dylan will ensure another trans young person will not have to do so in the future, just like Dr. Lydia Foy did previously.By speaking out, someone like Dylan will ensure that another young person who is transgender will not have to do what Lydia Foy did earlier. Today LGBT rights moves forward. It has moved forward because people took a stand and risked their lives to say enough was enough. It moved forward because of the actions of those who overcame criminalisation in some cases and who overcame transgender phobia. It moved forward because of people such as Lydia Foy, a well known transgender woman whose 22-year struggle in the public interest led essentially to where we stand today.

It struck me that the political imperative that Dylan felt to speak out at yesterday's briefing and to be present today will no longer be felt by young transgender people in the coming months and years. In my opening speech I said that the transgender community has never let the State down. It is with significant pride that I listened to all of the contributions from Senators today. I thank the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, and the Government which did not let down transgender people today.

I thank all the Senators for their support and for their good wishes.