Transgender Equality Network Ireland, Ireland
TENI NEWS
14 February 2012
Strengthening Families
A peer group established to offer support to Parents and Family
Members of Trans People is well on its way to establishing a national
network.
Members of the newly named group - TransParentsCI (Trans Parents
Connect Ireland) - participated in a full-day workshop on 5 February.
They began by agreeing their mission statement: TransParentsCI aims to
break the silence, by offering support and giving a voice to parents
and families of Transgender children and loved ones.
During the workshop, they developed plans for raising awareness,
fundraising and educating healthcare professionals.
"This group is really inspiring," said Vanessa Lacey, who facilitated
the February workshop. "Families are so integral to the wellbeing of
trans people: you just can't overestimate the value of being supported
and accepted by loved ones.
This group came together three months ago with one thing in common:
they love their children and family members. In the space of those
three months they have forged a tremendous bond. I will remember this
day for a long time."
For further details of TransParentsI, contact vane...@teni.ie
---
Talking Recognition
On 18 January TENI met with Anne Ferris TD to discuss Gender
Recognition and the shortfalls of the proposed legislation.
The controversial proposals for the legislation would force couples to
divorce and would require people to be diagnosed with a mental illness
in order to access a basic human right.
"Anne's openness and willingness to engage in raising awareness about
Recognition were encouraging," said Broden Giambrone. "We are thrilled
to have such a strong advocate in Anne. We have a long road before us,
and this was a positive and energetic step forward!"
For more information on TENI's Action for Recognition campaign, see
http://www.teni.ie/page.aspx?contentid=128
---
Go ask Alice
Last October, we received an email from Alice Hamman, a 3rd year
student at Newpark Comprehensive School, Co. Dublin, asking for our
help with her school project.
As part of her Civic, Social & Political Education course, Alice wanted:
"to raise awareness of (and hopefully prevent) homophobic and
transphobic bullying, especially in schools. The main way I'm hoping
to achieve this is by having a guest speaker talk to my class. If you
could be of any assistance in getting a guest speaker, or sending any
information, I would greatly appreciate it."
Such a brave young person -- how could we refuse such an opportunity
to educate our future! Despite nerves at going back to school, Vanessa
Lacey jumped at the chance.
In January, Vanessa visited the school and spoke to 75 Junior Cert.
about issues facing transgender people and the effect of transphobia.
The students were open and receptive, so much so that Vanessa has been
invited back already!
[Photo: Garadine O'Dwyer (CSPE Teacher), Alice and Vanessa]
---
Trans Media Training: Fri 24 Feb
"For most of the last century trans people were the objects of
discussion by others. No more." - Natacha Kennedy
Now we're speaking up! Join TENI for a full day of media training for
trans people and allies.
And it's free :-)
> How can we influence the media to tell the stories we want heard?
> How can we effectively represent our diverse experience and identities?
> How can we protect our privacy but raise the visibility of important issues facing our community?
> How can we contribute or make a difference if we don't want or can't be 'out'?
For further information see here:
http://www.teni.ie/event.aspx?contentid=368 Places are limited. You can sign up in a jiffy here:
https://transequality.wufoo.eu/forms/speaking-up-trans-media-training/ Copyright (C) 2012 Transgender Equality Network Ireland All rights reserved.
http://bit.ly/zJKfp8
[VIA EMAIL]
