Call for feedback after the TDoR events

Call for participants - deadline for applications – 7 October 2011

Training on strategic litigation call for applications

As part of its programme of work to encourage the use of strategic litigation to promote LGBTI rights in Europe, ILGA-Europe is holding a one-day training session on litigation in the field of the rights of trans people, in association with Transgender Europe.

The objective of this training is to give participants a basic grounding in:

• the general concept of strategic litigation, whether at national or European level;
• the practicalities of taking cases under the European Convention;
• the specific ECtHR/CJEU case law principles relevant to taking trans cases
• the broader advocacy work that may be needed to accompany strategic litigation cases

• Holders of a position of responsibility in an ILGA-Europe or Transgender Europe member organisation
• Supported in their application by their organisation
• Willing to act as a promoter of the use of strategic litigation within their organisation, particularly in relation to trans issues
• Able to communicate effectively in English
• Able to participate for the full duration of the training session

Call for the 4th European Transgender Council

Dear Trans* activists, dear friends and allies to the cause.

Transgender Europe is hereby inviting proposals to arrange the 4th European Transgender Council in 2012. Our previous councils have ben taking place in Vienna 2005, Berlin 2008 and in Malmö, Sweden 2010.

TGEU is looking for a group of committed activists to host the next European Transgender Council 2012 in their city somewhere in Europe. So if you do not want to travel to another city for the next council then invite the European Trans* Community to your city instead!! A council with around 200 trans*activists can also be very helpful to raise awareness in your country for trans* issues and your work.

We hope to find a local organizing team that will work together with the Steering Committee of TGEU to ensure that the Fourth European Transgender Council takes place and is a great success.

Framework:

As the local organizing team you should be a group of activists working together with a registered organisation that is supporting trans* human rights.

TGEU will only be able to partly fund the cost of arranging the council. This means that an important part of your work will be to apply for and secure the funding of the council. TGEU will work together with the local organising team and lend its support and knowledge in this process.

The local organising team will be responsible in securing a location for the council, arranging food for the conference delegates, booking hotel rooms and other logistic aspects such as a cultural program. It is also the local organising team that is responsible to facilitate visa-invitations for those delegates who need this.

The Steering Committee ensures composition and quality of the program including the motto of the Council. It does so by cooperating closely with the local organizing team.

The local organising committee of the 3rd European Transgender Council in Malmö 2010 has kindly offered to give their support and are willing to share their experiences they gained organising to Malmö council.

Judging from the experiences gained in running the previous three European Transgender Councils a good support from and experience in co-operation with the local authorities in your city or country is very beneficial. We found the full support of the local trans-community crucial in order to be able to run the council.

Support:

The TGEU Steering Committee will support the local organising team with its own working group. The planning of the 4th European Transgender Council will be a joint undertaking between Transgender Europe and the local organizing team, i.e. fundraising, invitation of the speakers, workshops holders, public relations and other aspects.

Formal criteria:

- you have to be a group of at least five people that form the core local organizing team
- you need the full support of a registered organization that is based in your city
- you have experience in organizing bigger events

The 3-day event should take place in 2012, preferably in spring or autumn.

Please hand in your application by e-mail no later than the *25th of March 2011* to the address given below. The application should include:

- description of your organisation/group (including short CVs of the organizing team)
- a motivation letter: why you want to organize the council
- preliminary budget of the council, including proposal for where to apply for funding
- a contact person and address

Contact e-mail: council@tgeu.org

If there are further questions to your application you will be contacted within 4 weeks. Applicant groups will be notified by May 10th about the decision of the next council venue.

Please do not hesitate to get in contact beforehand if you are insecure whether you fulfil the given criteria or in case of other questions!  We are looking forward to hear from you!

Best wishes,

The Steering Committee of TGEU

Capacity Building Seminar Host Invitation

Transgender Europe (TGEU) is organising a Capacity Building Seminar for trans* activists and organisations across Europe that will take place in September this year.

Dear TGEU members and supporters,

Transgender Europe (TGEU) is organising a Capacity Building Seminar for trans* activists and organisations across Europe that will take place in September this year. The event seeks to develop greater capacity and networking within the European trans* movement.

We are asking you to get in touch if your organisation would be interested in hosting this important event, working in partnership with TGEU to ensure the successful planning and organisation of the seminar. The event would take place over 2 days (3 nights), ideally in mid-September, and would have a maximum of 20 attendees, including trainers from TGEU and externally.

Your organisation would be engaged in handling the practicalities and other ‘on the ground’ logistics, such as arranging the venue, meals and accommodation for the attendees. TGEU would lead on developing the content of the seminar and liaise with your organisation for some administrative support in the run up to the event.

This is great opportunity for your organisation to contribute to building a strong trans* movement in Europe and actively support TGEU in working towards this goal. We have seen in previous events that host organisations benefit greatly from positive publicity associated with the event and this has facilitated more fruitful engagement with international and local partners as a result.

The event is financed by the European Commission and generously supported by ILGA-Europe.

We would greatly appreciate if you could advise us of your interest by 22nd March 2011 and very much hope that you will be in a position to come on board!

In solidarity,

TGEU Steering Committee

Please reply to cat@tgeu.org

Fifth European Transgender Council - Call for city host proposals

This is your chance to invite the European Trans Community to your city!

GATE: Call for Action - help change the ICD!

Help change the upcoming ICD-11! Global Action for Trans* Equality needs your input!

Greetings from GATE - Global Action for Trans* Equality!

As you may or may not know, the World Health Organization (WHO) has started the process of reviewing the International Classification of Diseases (known as ICD-10), with the goal of publishing a new version, ICD-11 in a few years. Undoubtedly, this is a historical moment for trans* movements worldwide: we have the chance and the challenge of formulating a proposal to send to the WHO working group addressing trans* issues in the context of ICD reform. This proposal should not only remove all pathologizing references (such as “transsexualism”, placed under Mental and Behavioural Disorders and "fetishistic transvestism", placed under Sexual Preference Disorders); it should also grant access to medical procedures and to legal recognition that depend on ICD codes. The proposal must be sent to the WHO working group by mid December 2011.

Given the short time to produce it, and the need of having a proposal reflective of the situation of trans* people in as many parts of the world as possible, we have chosen a dual approach. GATE will coordinate the elaboration of a proposal, the first draft of which will be produced by an international group of experts, chosen on the basis of their work on trans* people’s healthcare needs, ICD and healthcare reform processes, human rights mechanisms, psycho-medical issues, legal issues and trans* activism. Our goal is to bring together in a geo-politically and otherwise diverse group, while respecting the limited financial and time resources that we have available. However, broad input from all trans* communities will be necessary to produce the fist draft and to turn it into the final proposal to be submitted to the WHO, recognizing that people working at the national level have the expertise required to effectively connect their own psycho-medical and legal systems with the ICD. Your participation is key!

How to participate in this process?

- Right now. Please, submit as soon as possible all relevant information on these issues (and others that you could consider appropriate): (1) What kind of diagnostic reference is necessary in your country to have access to surgical, hormonal or other gender affirming procedures? (i.e., “gender identity disorder”); (2) What kind of diagnostic reference is necessary in your country to have access to legal recognition? (i.e., “true transsexualism”); (3) Are there other diagnosis included within the ICD that are used to classify trans* people? How are they applied? If we propose significant changes to the ICD, will that prohibit trans* people from accessing healthcare and legal gender recognition? What kind of changes would be useful in your work?

- After the first draft is released. We’ll need you to read it very carefully, to study if the proposal will work in the context of your own health and legal systems and to send us all comments, suggestions and missing information to be incorporated into the final version of the proposal.

- After the final version of the proposal is completed. To improve decisively its chances of being included, the proposal will need your group/network/individual endorsement. It will also require all possible other endorsements, especially those coming from academic, professional and governmental institutions.

- If the proposal is included into the ICD-11, we all must advocate in favor of the adoption of this new text at the WHO before our governments.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions, and/or want to submit information to be included in the proposal, please contact us at icd[at]transactivists.org . Thank you!

Let's change our world, together.

Invitation to the Third European Transgender Council 30.Sept - 03. Oct 2010 in Malmo, Sweden

3^rd European Transgender Council Malmo

Embracing Diversity. Stretching Boundaries. Demanding Rights   Thursday 6pm, 30th September 2010 – Sunday 2pm, 3rd October 2010

Third European Transgender Council 2010.

Embracing Diversity. Stretching Boundaries. Demanding Rights

go back to the Council main page

Membership Consultation on Intersex Issues in TGEU

Intersex Consultation

At the 3rd European Transgender Council in Malmoe October 2010 intersex issues were raised several times.
The workshop on TGEU strategic organizational development had asked the TGEU Steering Committee to facilitate a process to formulate a position on this. As a first step, the Steering Committee had a first internal discussion on our meeting in Brussels in December 2010.

In April we invited our membership (see below) to take part in a consultation on the issue, however, we did not receive enough feedback to asses our members' approach.
Therefore we would like to, again, present you with the issue and ask important questions concerning TGEU's future policies.

If you know of organizations that include intersex people and intersex issues in their services and programs you think we should contact, please do not hesitate to get back Kristian Randjelovic at kris@tgeu.org

>>>> Go to the Consultation (external link) <<<<

-----------------------------------

A letter to TGEU members on adopting a position on intersex issues

Dear members

I am contacting you on behalf of Transgender Europe - TGEU. The mandate of the organization is defined as working for a Europe where gender variant people are respected and valued, a Europe where each and every person can freely choose to live in whichever gender they prefer, without interference

At the 3rd European Transgender Council in Malmoe October 2010 intersex issues were raised several times. The workshop on TGEU strategic organizational development had asked the TGEU Steering Committee to facilitate a process to formulate a position on this.

As a first step, the Steering Committee had a first internal discussion on our meeting in Brussels in December 2010.

As a next step, we would like to invite you to a consultation.

Below you will find a set of questions (available for download here) we would kindly ask you to assess and send back to us until May 23rd. This will help us in informing the next steps.

As next steps the steering committee will:

- review the membership consultation (Summer 2011) 
- in the mean time we will consult with allies and associated partner organizations working on intersex issues (Summer 2011)
- draft a TGEU paper on intersex issues (Winter 2011/12)
- consult with the TGEU membership on this draft (Spring 2012)
- TGEU membership adopts a TGEU position on the Council

If you know of organizations that include intersex people and intersex issues in their services and programs you think we should contact, please do not hesitate to get back to me.

Please send your feedback by the May 23rd to kris [at] tgeu.org

Best regards,
Kristian Randjelovic
Member of TGEU Steering Committee

Please download the questions here.

Transgender Capacity Building Seminar in September

Transgender Europe (TGEU) is organising a 2 day Capacity Building Seminar for trans* activists and organisations across Europe hosted by the Scottish Transgender Alliance.

 The event seeks to develop greater capacity and networking within the European trans* movement and is intended to promote increased effectiveness and impact of trans* activists at local, national and regional level. The Capacity Building Seminar is financed by the European Commission and generously supported by ILGA-Europe. 

View information on practicalities of the seminar.

Registration is closed by now, but invitation and registration form can still be accessed.

volunteering for the 3rd European Transgender Council 2010!

We need you in Malmö!

Albania: House where five transgender people were living set on fire

 On 27 April 2011 five transgender people in Albania were put at risk because the house where they stood was set on fire by unknown persons.

The PINK Embassy - an organization working to protect the rights of LGBT community in Albania - informs on the incident in a press release:The transgender people were housed in an abandoned house in Durres Road, adjacent to the building of the

former Yugoslav Embassy in Tirana. Around 4:30 am, they were being alerted by smoke and flames, which had blocked almost all entry-exit points of the house. In the same house lived a Roma family of seven members five of whom were minors.

Although fortunately there were no casualties, the transgender community believes that the act of vandalism was committed by a group of homophobes, which should have previously identified their location. The police and firemen arrived on the scene immediately to extinguish the fire and give first aid to the victims. However, the Tirana Police Authority at the time of preparation of this statement had not issued any press release about the event.

Hate crimes are severely punished throughout the civilized world and Albania cannot make an exception to this. The event in question shows once again that, while Albania has adopted the Law against Discrimination, the life and dignity of the trans-gender community continues not to be respected and put at risk.

The fact that the Transgender community have not been provided, nor by the Municipality of Tirana or by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, with any opportunity for housing, employment and security, indicates that homophobia is rooted in the mentality of governance in Albania. This is unacceptable for us! The life and dignity of every transgender person is equal with that of every Albanian citizen!

Taking into consideration this event, we would like to urge the Municipality of Tirana and the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, to react against this act, while provide transgender community in the shortest possible way the completion of their minimum rights for security, housing and food. These rights expect an urgent response thus we expect immediate actions by the Albanian public institutions.

Such episodes damage community life in particular and society in general. Human rights are equal for everyone.

http://www.pinkembassy.al/en/lgbt-albania

Albanian Ombudsman office starts investigation into the police violence against transgender person in Tirana

Albanian Ombudsman office starts investigation into the police violence against transgender person in Tirana

5 September 2011 - The Albanian Ombudsman’s office announced the start of investigations into the latest case of violence used against a member of the transgender community in Albania, Paloma, a couple of weeks ago by members of the State Police.

On 15 August 2011, PINK Embassy / LGBT Pro Albania publicly denounced the brutal violence used against Paloma, in a Park near the Albanian House of Parliament and duly informed the authorities about the situation. While investigating a theft case, the Tirana Police Officers got for questioning a friend of the transgender group, an action which was faced with Paloma’s resistance. This resulted in a then use of disproportionate and violent force by the Police officers against Paloma. On the same day Paloma was accompanied by the Police to the Emergency Health Services of the Tirana Hospital (QSUT) to be checked for internal injuries. Paloma was released later that day. The Police Authority of Tirana never pressed any charges against her.

After the fast and string reaction of PINK Embassy / LGBT PRO Albania the Ombudsman Office gave a positive answer to our request for the start of an immediate investigation into the case for putting in front of legal responsibility all the people in uniform involved in such an act of violence.

PINK Embassy has provided the Ombudsman’s Office all materials that will enable them to properly investigate the case. 

PINK Embassy

German Constitutional Court declares compulsory surgeries unconstitutional

TGEU welcomes decision by German Constitutional Court: other countries ought to ban sterilization requirement as not constitutional
 

January 28th 2011

The German Constitutional Court has announced in a press release ^[1]  today that the requirement to undergo sterilization or gender reconstruction surgery is not constitutional. The decision has immediate effect.The plaintiff, a 62 year old transsexual woman, had acquired the so-called “small solution” with a name change, but not altered the civil status due to the requirement to undergo sterilization surgery. With a still “male” civil status she and her female partner had been denied the right to enter a registered same-sex partnership. If forced to marry, so plaintiff, they are recognizable as a partnership with at least one transsexual spouse – a live free from discrimination made impossible.

The First Division of the Federal Constitutional Court has ruled that the standardized conditions for legal gender recognition of transsexuals to enter into a partnership are not compatible with the right to sexual self-determination, physical integrity and privacy.

"A reform of the German Gender Recognition Act (Transsexuellengesetz) is more than overdue." says Max Schulze board member of the Berlin-based organization TransInterQueer, " we demand from the Federal Government and the Parliament to show quick and consistent action now."

TGEU welcomes the decision by the German Constitutional Court. A majority of countries in Europe have similar requirements violating the human rights of transgender people. The Council of Europe has already indicated that this is a matter of concern. Thus, the Committee of Ministers had stated that ‘prior requirements, including changes of a physical nature, for legal recognition of a gender reassignment, should be regularly reviewed in order to remove abusive requirements.’^[2]  In line with previous decisions from the German Constitutional Court on the German Transsexual Law and in combination with similar verdicts of the Austrian High Administrative Court TGEU is positive that this will send a strong signal to other countries to review their gender recognition legislation.

“The margin of appreciation for requirements for gender recognition, as granted by the European Court of Human Rights, has its limits. The decision of the German court states clearly that human rights of transgender persons are jeopardized with a legal requirement for sterility or compulsory sex reassignment surgery, still practiced in many countries in Europe. When the Committee of Ministers recommendation will be up for review in two years, we want to see Germany and many other countries to have their legislation in line with international human rights law.” says Richard Köhler, co-chair of Transgender Europe.
 

ENDS

contacts:

tgeu@tgeu.org

/* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Normale Tabelle"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} [1] Press Release of the German Constitutional Court on BvR 3295/07

[2] Council of Ministers Recommendation Rec(2010)5 on measures to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Greece is lying about gender identity legislation. Greece's political fraud.

We wish to strongly denounce the Greek Representatives to the UN for spreading unabashed lies and for political fraud, because the legislation in Greece makes absolutely no provision for discrimination on the grounds of gender identity.

The Greek Transgendered Support Association (TGSA) with this press release denounces the Greek delegation to the United Nations, which, by means of its permanent representative to the UN, ambassador Giorgos Kaklikis reported that:

“As about discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, Greece has strong anti-discrimination legislation, which prohibits, among others, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. In addition to that, the Greek government, is presently investigating the subject of recognition of same sex couples. I would like to emphasize that we fully support your efforts in this field and we urge you to continue the work that you do in that direction”. 

These, among others, where the words of the Greek ambassador to the UN, Mr Kaklikis in the 19^th Assembly of the Human Rights Council, addressing the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (video of the ambassador's speech can be found in the following url: http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/2012/03/greece-item-2-13th-meeting-19th-session-human-rights-council.html). 

We wish to strongly denounce the Greek Representatives to the UN for spreading unabashed lies and for political fraud, because the legislation in Greece makes absolutely no provision for discrimination on the grounds of gender identity.

We wish to denounce the state for its stance in the matter of gender identity and anti-discrimination legislation. Despite the continuous encouragement of the Greek Transgendered Support Association and other local organizations, despite the continuous encouragement of the European Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, for the inclusion of gender identity in anti-discrimination legislation, and also the legislation against the dissemination of hate speech and hate crime, the Greek state has taken absolutely no steps towards that direction.

Instead, the Greek state through its Representative in the United Nations is lying in a provocative manner, commits political fraud against its international partners and in essence is mocking its citizens.

The Greek Transgendered Support Association (TGSA) will continue with all its resources the interventions towards all the Parliamentary Parties and bodies in Greece but also all international organizations, for the inclusion of gender identity in the anti-discrimination legislation but also the legislation against the dissemination of hate speech and hate crimes, as well as towards the recognition of gender identity.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

http://www.transgender-association.gr/

transgender.support.association@gmail.com

Ireland welcomes Equality Tribunal Decision on Transgender Case

Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) welcomes the Equality Tribunal’s decision in the Louise Hannon case to extend protections to transgender people.

TENI Chairperson, Martine Cuypers said: “This is a significant step for transgender equality in Ireland. An important precedent has been set in recognising the inclusion of transgender people under the gender ground of equality legislation.

“We also congratulate Louise Hannon on winning this landmark case following her four-year legal battle. Ms. Hannon’s case highlights that transgender people regularly experience discrimination in the workplace as well as challenges in accessing and retaining employment.

“TENI urgently calls on the government to fulfil its commitment to extend the protections of the equality legislation to transgender people through the explicit inclusion of ‘Gender Identity and Gender Expression’ as protections under the gender ground,” she said.

Gender Recognition Legislation urgently required

TENI urges the government to introduce comprehensive Gender Recognition Legislation for Ireland. Gender Recognition Legislation is promised in the Programme for Government and a working group is due to provide recommendations to the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton shortly.

“This case highlights the importance of a proper legislative framework for gender recognition and we urge Minister Burton to move forward with drafting and enacting this legislation as quickly as possible,” Ms. Cuypers added.

TENI was established in 2005 and represents Ireland’s transgender community. TENI provides support services for transgender people across the country. At present TENI facilitates six support groups across the country in Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. A further service is opening in Sligo shortly. 300 people accessed TENI’s support services in 2010.

Further Information

Martine Cuypers, Chairperson, TENI: (01) 873 3575 / (087) 135 9816.  

Irish Government Gender Recognition Advisory Group Report – A Missed Opportunity

Irish Government Gender Recognition Advisory Group Report – A Missed Opportunity

1. Recommendation that a trans person in an existing valid marriage or civil partnership must obtain a divorce or dissolution of the partnership in order to have their gender legally recognised. This requirement contradicts the Irish State’s constitutional obligation to protect marriage, and by requiring divorce, creates further obstacles to many couples in Ireland who wish to remain together. This morning, GRAG Chairperson Oliver Ryan admitted that the proposal left couples in “a practically impossible position”.
2. Requirement that a trans person must live in their preferred gender for a minimum of 2 years (Real Life Test) without legal recognition or protection in order to obtain recognition. This requirement would cause unnecessary distress and anxiety for many trans people.
3. Medical Criteria:

1. Requirement of a diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder in addition to relevant supporting medical evidence, or
2. Medical evidence that the applicant has undergone gender reassignment surgery, or
3. Evidence of the recognition of changed gender in another jurisdiction. The proposed medical criteria are problematic as they will exclude many trans people and discourage many more from seeking legal recognition.

Italian court says sterilisation is not mandatory for gender reassignment

Italian court says sterilisation is not mandatory for gender reassignment

This article was taken from www.equal-jus.eu

PINK EMBASSY WINS THE CASE AGAINST THE MEMBER OF THE ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT

The Commissioner for Protection against Discrimination recommends to the Albanian Parliamentarian to avoid discriminatory language and statements against the LGBT community in Albania.

Portugal adopts Trans law - 8 days for Legal Gender Recognition

Congratulations, Portugal! It is a Trans law!

After the president had vetoed the parliament's decision las year, he now signed the law coming into force on March 15^th. Thus, Portugal has finally a law regulating the legal gender recognition. It is filling a legal gap human rights activists have been pointing out for a long time. With the new law, the preferred gender can be obtained using a standardized administrative procedure within 8 days. Besides the application a certificate from a medical multi-disciplinary team is necessary to fullfil the pre-conditions. The procedure is only open to individuals of Portuguese nationality and above 18 years of age.

TGEU welcomes this legislative step as it ends a long period of legal uncertainty for trans people in Portugal. Portugal joins also the progessive club of Spain and the Uk, the only countries in the European Union, where sterilisation is not mandatory in legal gender recognition legislation. It sends also an important signal to other states in Europe to reconsider  pre-conditions and remove abusive elements ub gender recognition legislation as recommended by the Council of Ministers in 2010.

"The right to documents corresponding to the identity of a person is a basic citizen right. We congratulate ILGA Portugal and other human rights activists in Portugal to this success." says Richard Köhler, Co-chair of Transgender Europe.

With regard to the economic crisis, those suffering diametral from discrimination and social exclusionneed special  attention.

Köhler comments further "We are confident that this law improves the lifes of trans people in Portugal significantly. After clarifying this aspects, other questions need to be tackled as well. Access to adequate health care and the job market as well as guaranteeing a life free from discrimination now need to be prioritized for both trans citizens and residents of Portugal."

Portugal had gained sad prominence when Gisberta was brutally murdered in 2006 and only upon local and international pressure the purpetrators were brought to justice.

The legislative process was initiated by Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner, who had visited Portugal earlier in 2010.

The text of the law can be found here: http://dre.pt/pdf1sdip/2011/03/05200/0145001451.pdf

Study on the situation of trans people at the job market in the Netherlands and Flanders

Transgender at Work

TRANSGENDERS EN WERK Een onderzoek naar de arbeidssituatie van transgenders in
Nederland en Vlaanderen
Utrecht, mei 2010
Auteur: Paul Vennix
www.rutgersnissogroep.nl

Download

Summary

In this study the employment situation of Dutch and Flemish transgender employees has
been mapped out and the circumstances influencing their situation. Unemployed
transgenders have also participated in this study, and have given insight into the
problems they experience with being transgenders when trying to find work.
Participants of this survey have mainly been approached through the websites of
transgender interest groups in the Netherlands and Flanders. We put a comprehensive
questionnaire on the Internet, which was answered by 386 transgenders. The
transgenders who responded are not representative for the entire transgender
population.
The survey distinguishes between MtFs (transgender females born male) and FtMs
(transgender males born female). A further distinction is made between non-ops
(transgenders who do not proceed with Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS)), pre-ops
(those who have applied for SRS) and post-ops (those who have had surgery). FtMs are
underrepresented in this study. Consequently, certain aspects of the employment
situation of FtM non-ops, pre-ops and post-ops were impossible to compare. Moreover,
too few unemployed FtMs participated in the survey to describe their circumstances.
Unemployed MtFs (but very likely FtMs as well) are often rejected when applying for a
job because of their transgender background, and face great difficulties finding jobs in
which their transgender background is accepted. Reintegration bureaus and departments
are rarely well-adjusted to the personal situation of unemployed transgenders.
Having a transgender background is a career barrier both for the unemployed and the
employed. Being unable to be oneself, discrimination and lack of acceptance from
colleagues play important roles. Consequently, transgenders are underrepresented in
important positions.
Transgenders hardly dare come out at work. This goes especially for non-ops, since they
do not know whether their managers are going to support their coming out.7 They fear
being bullied by their colleagues.
Eventually, in the event of having chosen for SRS (pre-ops), coming out is inevitable.
Even then a number of pre-ops postpones their coming out till the very limit. However,
pre-ops, who admit to wanting Sex Reassignment Surgery, are usually supported by their
management. Generally, a majority of their colleagues accept their decision to have
surgery.
In spite of all this, as the National Enquiry into Employment Circumstances 20068 shows,
transgenders (non-ops, pre-ops and post-ops) are confronted with annoying behaviour of
colleagues much more often than others. MtFs are even more troubled by this than FtMs.
Gender crossing expressions by men (make-up, women’s clothes, girl’s names etcetera)
are hardly ever accepted at work, though women are also expected to conform to the
current gender rules. This renders it impossible for transgenders to show themselves at
work as they really are.
Male colleagues’ attitudes are more deprecative towards transgenders than those of
female colleagues. Therefore, FtM pre-ops have more difficulty in being accepted as men
into the men’s world at work. MtF are more easily admitted into the women’s community
Few transgenders fit into the box ‘male’ or ‘female’. Gender dichotomy and organisational
(and cultural) policies often lead to mental problems, because people can not sufficiently be themselves. MtFs often find themselves in male dominated jobs because of a ‘male’
career choice, in which they do not feel comfortable. This also leads to psychological
problems.
Diversity management contributes to a large degree to a positive job experience and a
good workrelation with colleagues and superiors. Diversity management promotes
transgenders’ open attitude at work.
In order to improve transgenders’ position (at work) policies specifically directed to their
employment situation are needed, as well as a general organisation policy. The
Yogyakarta-principles9 are an important guideline in this. Additionally, the memorandum
on the Emancipation policy of Lesbians and Gays 2008-201110 needs to be readjusted,
since it hardly pays any attention to transgenders. The male-female dichotomy needs to
be broken apart not only in legislation and abolition of sex registration, but by granting
partial sex reassignment surgery in the Netherlands in accordance with international
guidelines11. Simultaneously, transgenders’s image needs to be improved by means of
education and information (with special focus on gender diversity). Transgenders as a
target group need explicitly to come under the Equal Rights Act. Equality and antidiscrimination
policy will only then be directed to transgenders as well. Moreover, both in
diversity management and in the Collective Labour Agreements special attention should
be paid to transgenders. Labour reintegration offices and labour advice bureaus should
be better equipped (and have more know-how) to be of service to transgenders.

Towards simplified regulations in France

Socialist MP Michèle Delaunay and the whole socialist parliamentary group submitted on December 22nd 2011 a bill that aims at simplifying legal gender recognition for transgender citizens.

It concludes three years long endeavors of a parliamentary working group lead by Michèle Delaunay with the expertise of HES activists (Homosexualités & Socialisme)

This bill has following objectives :

- to  equalize court judgment outputs about legal gender change in civil status, stopping the obligation to prove that the undergone physical transformation is irreversible. The Ministry of Justice issued a circular letter on May 14th 2010 towards prosecuting attorneys, requesting to stop demands of medical examinations. It didn't change judge behaviors still seeking the irreversible criteria.

- to simplify the legal proceeding enabling gender change in civil status, aiming at, according Michèle Delaunay's own words,  cancelling its traumatic and barbarian nature. The proposed proceeding recognizes the individual’s  preferred gender identity, without any prior obligation to undergo sterilisation or other medical procedures such as sex reassignment surgery and hormonal therapy, and therefore comply with the resolution 1728 ( article 16.11.2) voted on April 29th 2010 by the Parliament Assembly of Council of Europe.

The proceeding give back full dignity to transgender persons. Once for all gender change in civil status and transgender health are de-correlated. 

The bill has been translated in English and can be found here.

Yet,  transgender health and related standards of care are still an open issue in France, left abandoned by current government. HES still demands that a comprehensive reform including standards of care, care structure, and insurance coverage shall comply with the principle of free choice of  its own practitioner, and with a true respect of transgender needs diversity.

This submitted bill will not be proposed for a vote since current parliamentary political orientation can't allow it. French presidential election is coming soon in early 2012 and makes hope for a new political distribution in the Parliament two months later. This bill will be the only reference in matter of gender change in civil status. HES and LGBT NGOs will make sure that candidates' promise towards transgender rights takes benefit from this submitted bill and comes true as soon as possible .

***

Contacts :

Gilles Bon-Maury, président d'HES, gilles.bon-maury@hes-france.org, tél. +33 6 61 53 19 39 ;

Laura Leprince, déléguée chargée des questions d'identité de genre, laura.leprince@hes-france.org, tél. +33 6 85 88 58 11.

http://www.hes-france.org/

Trans Woman Murdered in Istanbul

Didem - source:www.radikal.com.tr

Transphobic murder in Istanbul "I thought that she was a woman, but she was a travesti. After learning this, I killed her."

With great sadness and anger have we learned that yet another trans woman has been killed in Turkey on 31^st of July 2011. This is the info received today from TGEU member organisation Pembe Hayat:

dear friends,

as regards to the murder of didem, today we have more information. the murderer is a 26 years old man, who met with didem on facebook and agreed to have sex by paying her - didem is a sex worker. interestingly, the murderer is a fugitive soldier, named o.f.k.

he was caught by the police just after the murder after the high level of noise coming from the victim. he confessed to the police, "i thought that she was a woman, but she was a travesti. after learning this, i killed her."

tomorrow, we will have a silent protest in front of the apartment of didem together with the trans community in istanbul at around 18.00 p.m. in findikzade district of istanbul.

here is the link, where you can find the video taken just after the murder, where you can see the murderer and the trans friends of didem.
http://www.oynat.tv/facebookta-tanistigi-travestiyi-oldurdu

Our thoughts go out to Didem's close ones and the Trans and sex worker communities in Turkey.

These transphobic murders and attacks have to stop! Impunity for transphobic murders and attacks needs to be ended now!
 

Transgender Hearing in the Danish Parliament

Monday 14th March 2011 was a day to remember for Danish trans activism. 

For the first time ever a hearing was held in Christiansborg with the focus on healthcare, social policy and human rights for transgender people.

The day was in every respect a huge success. There were a number of speeches that highlighted the situation. Among those participating, Karin Astrup and Maria Sundin spoke on the dilemma whether transsexual people are sick versus the requirement to have Sex Reassignment Surgeries paid by public funds.

Pia Nielsen spoke about the TVT project and the Hammarberg report. Denmark is among the countries in Europe that hardly complies with Mr. Hammarberg’s recommendations for Human Rights for transgender people

100 people participated and consisted of politicians, specialist from various authorities and transgender people.

It was notable that a number of various media also participated - Danish Television (DR), Ritzaus Bureau, Berlingske Tidende (one of the largest newspapers in Denmark), Modkraft (LGBT newspaper) and other journalists.

The main organiser of the hearing, Irene Haffner, was interviewed by the main TV channel in Denmark in Prime Time and I was myself interviewed by 2 radio channels

That has led to a number of articles in various newspapers and on some websites. One is the following (in Danish):

avisen.dk/i-dag-indtager-transerne-christiansborg_143248.aspx

Pia Nielsen

Transphobic Police violence in Tirana, Albania

Call for urgent investigation on the latest case of extreme violence used by the police against a transgender woman in Tirana

Urkaine: homophobic bill comes forward

The Ukrainian Parliament has adopted on 2^nd Oct in 1st reading legal proposal bill # 8711. Once adopted the law  prohibits any public dissemination of information relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. This is a serious infringement on the right to information and renders the work of civil society organizations in these areas illegal.

Transgender Euroep - TGEU is very concerned about these developments and has asked prime Minsiter Azarov, President Yanukovich and Minister for Foreign Affairs Gryshchenko to stop this dangerous development that is playing with populist sentiments.

Read the letter TGEU sent to Prime Minister Azarov here.

Read more about the information on the legal proposal on the website of TGEU member organisation NGO "Insight".

sorry, no surgeries available. Malta continous breach of human rights

 “The case law of the European Court of Human Rights clearly requires states not only to provide for the possibility to undergo surgery leading to full gender-reassignment, but also that insurance plans should cover ‘‘medically necessary’’ treatment in general, which gender reassignment surgery is part of.” says the Commissioner for Human Rights in his issue paper “Human Rights and Gender identity”.

Read more on the situation of trans people in Malta here.

TGEU Newsletter 1st issue

A Message from the Steering Committee
Welcome to the TGEU eNewsletter designed to keep our members and supporters up to date with the latest European trans* actions and happenings. It’s only a couple of months since the 3rd European Transgender Council in Malmo, Sweden, and already the host organization for our trans* capacity building event has been chosen!
Intersex issues in TGEU The Steering Committee is working on a process to draft an intersex policy for TGEU. We would like you to send us feedback on how you see TGEU’s involvement in intersex issues: What do you think would be the best approach to engage and include intersex persons and/or organisations in our work? Read more...		What’s happening with TGEU? Of all organizations interested in hosting the trans* capacity building event, Scottish Transgender Alliance has been chosen. See you in Edinburgh this year! More info coming soon

TGEU Newsletter 2nd issue

A Message from the Steering Committee		What’s happening with TGEU? TGEU Co-Chairs at the launch of the report Discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in Europe in Strasbourg
It's been a very busy few months for trans* activism at the European level. Read more... TGEU participated in a meeting on violence against women, its causes and consequences on 17 June in Brussels. The meeting was organised on the occasion of the vist of Ms. Rashida Manjoo, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women. Read more...
Transgender Rights in Central and Eastern Europe/former Soviet Union (CEE/fSU) Bucharest, 24-25 June 2011 Interights, in conjunction with ACCEPT, organised a Workshop on Transgender Rights in Central and Eastern Europe/former Soviet Union (CEE/fSU). Read more... TGEU was at the launch of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights report, Discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in Europe, in Strasbourg on 23 June. Read more Read the report		Transgender Capacity Building Seminar in September Transgender Europe (TGEU) is organising a 2 day Capacity Building Seminar for trans* activists and organisations across Europe hosted by the Scottish Transgender Alliance. The event seeks to develop greater capacity and networking within the European trans* movement and is intended to promote increased effectiveness and impact of trans* activists at local, national and regional level. The Capacity Building Seminar is financed by the European Commission and generously supported by ILGA-Europe.   Please see the invitation and registration form More info   TENI to host 4th Council in Dublin We are thrilled to announce that Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) has been selected to host the 4th European Transgender Council in Dublin in 2012, the largest gathering of trans* activists in Europe. TENI Director Broden Giambrone said, "Hosting the Council and working closely with TGEU will provide us a unique opportunity to significantly raise the profile and visibility of trans rights in Ireland and beyond...It is our hope that by the opening of the Council, we will all be celebrating the introduction of gender recognition in Ireland".     Historic Decision at the United Nations includes trans people: Human Rights Council Passes First-Ever Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity In a groundbreaking achievement for upholding the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the United Nations Human Rights Council has passed a resolution on human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity on 17 June 2011 in Geneva. The resolution, presented by South Africa along with Brasil and 39 additional co-sponsors from all regions of the world, was passed by a vote of 23 in favour, 19 against, and 3 abstentions. Transgender Europe, GATE and the STP 2012 campaign lobbied for trans people to be included in this historic resolution. Carla LaGata, who represented Transgender Europe in the lobbying group, states "It is historical that gender identity is included in an UNHRC resolution. Its relevance for the developing global trans movement cannot be underestimated. It will also have an impact on Europe, where trans people are still affected by significant human rights breaches on a daily basis."   Read the joint resolution of the UN lobbying groups and PR

TGEU Newsletter 3rd issue

TGEU Newsletter 4th issue

A Message from the Steering Committee		What’s happening with TGEU? The Steering and Staff after Torino meeting, November 2011
4th European Transgender Council 2012 Trans Rights Now! Realizing Recognition, Respect and Equality
As a new season is upon us we are looking forward to the 4th European Transgender Council being hosted in Dublin, Ireland. We will welcome trans activists from all parts of Europe as delegates and speakers to Dublin City University (DCU) from 7 – 9 September 2012. We are looking forward to welcoming you soon and wish you a transfabulous year!  More info    EU's first study on LGBT discrimination is trans-inclusive For the first time the EU Commission officially asked to include the experiences of trans people in such a large-scale study in all EU member states and Croatia. European Union law does not recognize "gender identity or gender expression" as an own discrimination ground and therefore EU action remains sketchy. It is a great chance to have as many and diverse trans people as possible participating. EU policy makers will have to listen to the experiences trans people share. Telling your story increases the number-base and diversity and thus encourages the EU to be more trans-inclusive. The survey is still open and can be accessed through lgbtsurvey.eu. Further info On April 15 Moritz Sander joined TGEU in the newly created position as Administration Officer. Moritz will support and develop TGEU's office work and help Steering Committee and staff in developing sustainable administrative procedures.  Competition was tough as we had received a great number of excellent applications which were handled in a three-round recruitment procedure. Welcome to the team, Moritz! Get to know the staff   Did you know? You can now follow TGEU's latest news both on facebook and twitter! You can also support our work through the LGBTSupports IOS app!		At the Steering Meeting following the ILGA-Europe Conference in Torino on 31st October, we hired (the two now former Co-Chairs) Julia Ehrt and Richard Köhler as the new Executive Director and Policy and Capacity Building Officer of TGEU. Prior to this, Julia and Richard had resigned from their position as Co-Chairs. The decision to offer the two positions to the Co-Chairs was the result of a long discussion within the Steering Committee of TGEU that took place over the past few months, including a consultation with our funders and a consultation with an external expert in organisational development and management. At the same meeting, two Steering Committee members, Wiktor Dynarski from Trans-Fuzja Poland and Cat McIlroy from Trans Education and Advocacy in Ireland where voted in as the new Co-Chairs of TGEU. Kemal Ordek from Pembe Hayatt in Turkey and Laura Leprince from HES-France where voted in as new Steering Committee Members from a list of candidates whom we had asked beforehand whether they would be willing and able to become members of the Steering Committee. We are very happy to have found two very committed and experienced activists to fill the vacancies in the Steering Committee until the next General Assembly which will take place in July 2012 at the 4th European Transgender Council in Dublin. We are looking forward to working together with Kemal and Laura in the Steering Committee and with Julia and Richard in their new positions. Unfortunately, due to private matters, Cat McIlroy had to take a leave of abscence from the Steering Committee. Maria Sundin has been therefore chosen to act as Co-Chair for the remaining months until the 4th Transgender Council. It was also decided that the staff will take upon some of the Secretary's committments. Get to know the SC Trans Murder Monitoring project reveals more than 800 reported murders of trans people in the last four years  The March 2012 update reveals a total of 816 reported killings of trans people in 55 countries worldwide from January 1st 2008 to December 31st 2011. The update shows an exponential increase in reported killings of trans people over the last four years. In 2008, 141 cases were reported, in 2009 213 cases, in 2010 214 cases, and in 2011 a shocking number of 248. These are mainly the reported cases that could be found through Internet research and cooperation with trans organizations and activists. In most countries, data on murdered trans people are not systematically produced and it is impossible to estimate the numbers of unreported cases. Read the entire press release TGEU Statement on Social Inclusion through Sustainable Transport Public space and usage of public transport is for many trans persons in Europe a dreadful experience. Transgender Europe shows how trans passengers often are affected in their safety, security and dignity by staff and fellow passengers. 79% of trans people in an EU-wide survey reported harassment in public; 43% of trans respondents in a national survey feel "less well treated" in the street. This statement also presents best practices and 10 concrete recommendations aiming to inspire dialogue and yield sustainable improvements. TGEU's recommendations on the issue TGEU condems homo- and transphobic law in St. Petersburg Transgender Europe signed the international resolution protesting against a proposed bill prohibiting the so-called "propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism, transgenderism to minors" in St. Petersburg, Russia Read the resolution TGEU and ILGA-Europe highlight obstacles trans persons face in regard to cross-border prescriptions in the EU Joint contribution from ILGA-Europe and Transgender Europe on measures for improving the recognition of prescriptions issued in another EU member state Futher info