6 June 2012

A Message from the Steering Committee

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 
 

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

You can now follow TGEU's latest news both on facebook and twitter!

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

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

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

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

Joint contribution from ILGA-Europe and Transgender Europe on measures for improving the recognition of prescriptions issued in another EU member state

Futher info

News concerning Europe and relevant for activism, as well as relevant projects, seminars, and conferences in Europe, news from the United Nations and other international institutions which concern Europe and trans.

European network of trans and other organisations that support or work for the rights of transgender/transsexual/ gender variant people, and like-minded individuals. 
The mission of TGEU is to support and strengthen the trans movement and to work for trans equality in Europe and beyond