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The Social Democrats will “absolutely” support legislation to introduce legal recognition for “non-binary” genders, the party’s health spokesman Padraig Rice has said.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday during Pride month, the Social Democrats TD said it was important that politicians did more than simply fly Pride flags and attend Pride events, and instead delivered what he described as “progress” on LGBT issues.
Asked by Gript whether he would support a Bill from Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger seeking legal recognition for non-binary genders, Rice gave a one-word answer.
“Absolutely,” he replied.
Rice’s comments come as Coppinger prepares legislation that would introduce an “X” marker on gender recognition certificates and birth certificates for people who identify as non-binary.
As reported by Gript on Monday, the Dublin West TD said the proposed Bill would amend Ireland’s gender recognition framework to allow individuals to change their gender designation from male or female to non-binary.
Providing an update on the legislation in a social media video last week, Coppinger outlined what she described as two major changes contained in the proposal.
“Firstly, it allows somebody to change the gender from male or female to non-binary or X in the gender recognition certificate,” she said.
“…also helping to recognise non-binary status, which is recognised in other countries.” She added that “intersex” individuals would be included and recognised in this.
Ireland’s current system is governed by the Gender Recognition Act 2015, which allows individuals to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate from the Department of Social Protection. A person who receives such a certificate is legally recognised as the gender specified on it.
The issue has previously attracted public attention in cases involving biological males who identify as female and possess gender recognition certificates. One such case involved violent sex offender Alejandro Gentile, also known as Barbie Kardashian, who was housed in Limerick women’s prison after obtaining legal recognition as female despite being biologically male.
Under Coppinger’s proposal, legal recognition would be extended beyond male and female categories to include a non-binary designation. The proposed changes would have implications across areas where legal gender status is recognised, including official documentation and equality legislation.
Questions surrounding how many gender categories would ultimately be recognised under Irish law have arisen in recent years. In 2023, Fine Gael MEP and former Seanad leader Regina Doherty told the Scottish Parliament there were “about 9 genders”.
When later asked about the Government’s position on the matter, then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the Government had “no official position on that”.
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