Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would like to address the frightening rise in transphobia, trans hate and trans abuse that has swept over from the UK. This week, which had Trans Day of Visibility, the Tory Government moved to ban conversion therapy for so-called members of the LGB community but not for the T or trans family. Conversion therapy is a discredited, dangerous and unethical practice that has long-lasting psychological impacts. Research shows that trans people are more likely to endure this practice that absolutely and utterly has no place in a modern world. The UN has called for a global end to conversion therapy and says that it may amount to torture. Currently only five countries have a full ban on conversion therapy. Why does Ireland still not have a law against conversion therapy? Why has the UK recognised that conversion therapy is a cruel and abhorrent practice for the so-called LGB people but not for trans people in 2022? I cannot imagine how frightened trans persons must be right now. My heart hurts and I am really frightened for my trans family across Europe, in the UK and in Ireland. I also know that they are frightened.

I once again want to put on the record that trans people are loved, and they have a right to live as their authentic selves, free from hatred, questioning or attempts to change them from who they are. My office and my politics are safe spaces for all of them and they are always welcome. I hope that we, as a nation, will continue to fight against this sweep of transphobia and see this unfounded moral panic for what it is.

When will we get movement on the ban on conversion therapy, which has been promised? It is a frightening day for all of the LGBTQ community; there is no LGB without the T.