International Women’s Day Limerick 2017

Transgender Equality Network Ireland Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) seeks to improve conditions and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families.

Who am I? My name’s Sam Blanckensee I’m 23 years old and a Co. Wicklow native I’m the National Development Officer for Transgender Equality Network Ireland

Sex Vs Gender: What’s the difference? Sex The designation of a person at birth as male or female usually based on their anatomy or biology. Gender Identity A person’s deeply-felt identification as male, female, some other gender or no gender Gender Expression The external manifestation of a person’s gender identity

Terminology Transgender / Trans An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex assigned to them at birth Cisgender A person who is not trans (i.e. a person whose gender identity and gender expression is aligned with the sex assigned at birth) *

Transitioning The process through which some trans people begin to outwardly live as the gender with which they identify, rather than the one assigned at birth. Transition might include social, physical or legal changes such as Coming out to family, friends, co- workers etc. Changing physical appearance; Changing name, pronoun and sex designation on legal documents Medical assistance (e.g. through hormones or surgery).

What is Transphobia? The idea that people who fit gender norms are intrinsically better than those who don’t (by sounding, looking or behaving like men and women are ‘supposed to’)

Transphobia in Ireland “Speaking from Margins: Trans* Mental Health and Wellbeing in Ireland” Published by TENI on 2nd December 2013 Results: 21% of respondents reported having experienced physical violence 44% reported experiencing physical intimidation and threats 15% reported sexual assault 7% reported being raped All as a direct result of being trans. With 164 participants, this survey was the largest of its kind in this country *

Cissexism The assumption that a cisgender identity is more authentic or natural than a trans identity. The belief that a person’s sex assigned at birth always remains their real gender (e.g. suggesting that a trans woman is ‘really a man’ or a trans man is ‘really a woman’).

Where to find us office@teni.ie sam@teni.ie www.teni.ie www.facebook.com/transequality Twitter: TENI_tweets *