Almost 150 people in Ireland have obtained legal recognition of their self-determined gender in the past year.
Since legislation was passed last year, Department of Social Protection figures show that gender recognition certificates have been issued to 149 people.
The Irish legislation, which echoes that of the UK, permits over-18s to identify as the gender of their choice, without validation from a medical professional. It is the fourth country in the world to issue gender recognition certificates without requiring reassignment surgery or state assessment.
Introduced after legal challenge
Pressure group Transgender Equality Network Ireland (Teni) welcomed the large number of people who had already used the new legislation.
"It's an incredible moment of validation to have the state recognise their preferred gender," Teni's Chief Executive, Broden Giambrone, claimed.
The legislation was passed in Ireland after a legal challenge by 'Lydia' (previously Donal Mark) Foy, which began in 1997.
'Lydia' had tried to get a new birth certificate from the General Register Office but was refused. The High Court eventually ruled that this breached the European Convention on Human Rights.
Rapid normalisation of gender dysphoria
Transgenderism is increasing in popularity in the UK and across Western society.
Last November, an NHS clinic, the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, reported that the number of children seeking medical treatment for 'gender confusion' has risen five-fold in five years.
Boarding schools have been told by the Boarding Schools Association to refer to transgender pupils as 'zie', in an attempt aimed at "queering the education system".
Gender-neutral uniforms have been adopted by around 80 state schools across the country.
Most recently, Oxford City council is considering dropping titles such as Mr and Miss because they are not “inclusive of transgender people”.
A panel of councillors said that official forms should include a gender-neutral option - of Mx, pronounced "mix" — and that titles could be phased out from documents in the future.
Permanent harm
The rapid normalisation of gender dysphoria is causing widespread concern, particularly with regards to the well-being of children.
The American College of Paediatricians (ACPeds) issued a statement earlier this month calling for an end to this normalisation, which can leave young people permanently harmed and even left sterile.
It points out that 80% of cases of gender dysphoria in children resolve themselves by late adolescence – yet those who speak out against this “criminal” treatment are "chastised".
The statement continues by highlighting how therapists must further a social agenda to normalise gender dysphoria and cannot explore its root causes with patients:
"Therapists are not allowed to ask why an adolescent believes he or she is transgender; may not explore underlying mental health issues; cannot consider the symbolic nature of the gender dysphoria; and may not look at possible confounding issues such as social media use or social contagion."
Understanding transgender issues
If you or your church would like to better understand transgender issues and a compassionate, biblical response, this resource by fellowship group Affinity may be useful.
Related Links:
Are we all 'omnigender' now? (Affinity)
Huge rise in child 'transgender' referrals
Boarding schools told to refer to transgender pupils as 'zie'
Normalising gender dysphoria 'dangerous', says American College of Paediatricians
Council calls time on gender titles with plan to drop Mr and Ms (Times £)