‘It's unfair on me to have to tell my employer my biological sex is female', says Luke, 27
Luke O'Reilly Kane, who was born a woman, says lack of clarity and foresight around the Gender Recognition Act means true equality is still a long way off
Luke O'Reilly Kane was born a woman, but his views now go against the predominant transgender ideology.
Now 27, he was aged 18 in 2016 and among the first people to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate under the 2015 Gender Recognition Act, which marks 10 years in existence next month. Under the act, he could legally change his gender from female to male, and he carries a certificate to this effect.
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Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Irish Independent
‘It's unfair on me to have to tell my employer my biological sex is female', says Luke, 27
Luke O'Reilly Kane, who was born a woman, says lack of clarity and foresight around the Gender Recognition Act means true equality is still a long way off Luke O'Reilly Kane was born a woman, but his views now go against the predominant transgender ideology. Now 27, he was aged 18 in 2016 and among the first people to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate under the 2015 Gender Recognition Act, which marks 10 years in existence next month. Under the act, he could legally change his gender from female to male, and he carries a certificate to this effect.
Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Irish Times
Varadkar: marriage-equality vote result and hospice opening made my best day in politics
Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said May 23rd, 2015, was the best day in his political life due to the result of the marriage equality referendum and because he performed the official opening of St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown. 'It was just one of those days where everything came together. I started that day performing the official opening of St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown which I'd been able to get funding for as health minister so I just kind of saw two projects on the one day that were totally different and totally unconnected coming to fruition so it's those kind of days that make it all worthwhile,' he told Newstalk Breakfast. Mr Varadkar added it had been overwhelming at the referendum count centre. He had anticipated the results would be similar to the divorce referendum in 1994 in that the Yes vote would be stronger in urban areas with a big No vote in rural areas, but that did not happen. As the results came in from around the country it became obvious that 'it was a country that was embracing the idea of equality before the law for everyone, equal rights, freedom, equality of opportunity, and was doing it without a huge rural-urban divide or a class divide – you know all those things that we see so much of now in politics, that day we didn't and that was great.' READ MORE Mr Varadkar said the result 'spurred us on to do other things like for example the Gender Recognition Act later and things like repealing the 8th [amendment on abortion] in 2018 so you know it wasn't just a one-day event, it was actually part, I think, of a wave of progress and liberty and freedom that Ireland was part of'. Mr Varadkar acknowledged that when he started in politics he had not anticipated how much things would change in Ireland in the space of 10 years. He also admitted his decision to 'come out' had not caused him great angst but added it did cross his mind that it might have an impact on his future career. However, Mr Varadkar warned there were going to be setbacks in Ireland and around the world. 'I always say that the arc of history bends towards progress, but it's not a straight line. There are always going to be backlashes. And they're going to be setbacks and sometimes they're gonna be severe. 'It's one step forward, two steps back. That's kind of where we are at the moment.'
The Journal
13-05-2025
- The Journal
Sinn Féin members fear party is about to reverse course on trans rights
SINN FÉIN HAS seen a number of long-time members leave the party over a belief that the party is set to water down its support for LGBT+ issues, in particular on rights for transgender people. The party was set to hold a conference next month to specifically discuss its stance on trans rights, but it confirmed last night to The Journal that it has instead pushed the meeting back to next spring. This surprise move came on foot of meetings with LGBT+ groups, combined with resistance from current members of Sinn Féin. Several current and former members from an LGBT+ background who spoke to The Journal in recent days voiced 'huge concern' over the party's direction as they fear it's being engulfed by culture wars in Ireland . They had also sought clarity on whether the party still supports the law that gives legal recognition to a person's preferred gender. The party supported the 2015 Gender Recognition Act – and proposed its own version two years earlier – and also campaigned in support of the Marriage Equality referendum. However heated online debates and misinformation aimed at undermining trans people, coupled with comments made by two Sinn Féin TDs, have led some members to believe the party will seek to reverse course on trans rights. Sinn Féin has responded to the concern by meeting with LGBT+ groups, but it's understood there remains unhappiness among some members over its stance. When contacted, the party said that it will continue to hold meetings with LGBT+ groups 'across the island' in the months to come. 'Every opportunity to engage, exchange views and listen is hugely valuable to us and these meetings will continue in the time ahead,' a spokesperson said. UK ruling sees issues come to the fore for Sinn Féin The issue blew up for Sinn Féin recently after its health spokesperson David Cullinane said a ruling by the Scottish Supreme Court – that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in UK equality legislation do not include transgender women – was a 'common sense judgment'. Trans groups have been strongly critical of the Scottish Supreme Court's findings, with opposition also coming from a recent motion by a British doctors union calling the ruling 'scientifically illiterate'. Cullinane posted his thoughts on social media before later deleting them and apologising. But it was quickly followed by Sinn Féin's chief whip Pádraig Mac Lochlainn telling Highland Radio in Donegal that 'we need to have the conversation' surrounding trans rights in Ireland, saying 'the legislation isn't clear'. That last point was cited by a number of current party members we spoke to who feared it was 'flying the kite' for a potential change to the party's previous support. I want to apologise for the hurt and offence that I have caused to the Trans community following a tweet I sent last night. That was never my intention. This is a complex issue for many but we need to approach it with compassion, understanding and dignity for all. — David Cullinane T.D. (@davidcullinane) April 17, 2025 Cullinane's comments saw the party threatened with being banned from Trans Pride Dublin if it didn't roll back on what he said. The party has also faced fierce criticism when, as the co-lead party in the Stormont executive, passed a temporary ban on puberty medication for transgender youth last year. Some party members said Cullinane attempted to 'make amends' in recent weeks by discussing trans rights with members, but one former member who is transgender said they are concerned that Sinn Féin may soon take a harder stance. 'I worry that we were just a political football rather than an actual belief for them,' said Caitlin Wilson, who was a member in west Belfast for seven years until she left last year. Advertisement Wilson said that 'anti-trans rhetoric' is at an 'all-time high' in the modern era across western Europe and the US, and that political parties needed to stand against it. This 'silence' amounts to 'complicity' from Sinn Féin and other political parties if there are rollbacks to equality legislation down the line, according to Wilson. 'Less trustworthy' As well as Wilson, The Journal has found several long-serving members have also left the party over the issue. Some have decided to remain inside Sinn Féin to fight to maintain its current stance. Orla Ní Dhúil – who left last year after 15 years of membership, having been in a Glasnevin-based cumman – said she has felt the party's 'confused' stance has had the effect of making them 'less trustworthy' to those interested in progressive politics. Ní Dhúil outlined that she had contacted the party's senior spokespeople seeking an outline of the party's stance on trans rights and found the response frustrating, claiming little engagement on policy discussions for trans rights and other LGBT+ matters. This was a marked change to 2013, Ní Dhúil said, when Sinn Féin proposed a Gender Recognition Bill to allow trans people to legally change gender markers through self-determination. The party later backed the 2015 Gender Recognition Act, laws giving people a right to self-declare their gender. Among the rank and file, Wilson said she believed that members 'by and large' have little to no issue with trans people. 'I do not believe that Sinn Fein is an inherently transphobic party – I do believe they are a populist party,' Wilson said. She added that she wants to see all parties have a 'pro-trans stance, which I very truly just means ensuring trans people have a standard level of care'. As reported recently by The Journal Investigates , some transgender people have resorted to DIY-healthcare due to delays in the health system. Party leader interview Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald weighed into the debate in the aftermath of her health frontbencher Cullinane's comments. McDonald said that conversations about the rights of trans people need to be calm and respectful, while making reference to her own sister, who is a trans woman. Speaking on The Late Late Show, McDonald said that Sinn Féin's position has not changed but that the implications of the UK Supreme Court ruling would need to be studied, particularly since it will impact Northern Ireland. But the interview sparked concern among some members, with Kevin O'Hara, an election candidate at last year's local elections in Connemara, Co Galway, among those. 'Mary Lou's statement on the TV wasn't very clear,' said O'Hara, who also has a trans sibling. It was very clear about how much she loves her sister but in terms of party policy, it wasn't clear. What I have been asking our elected reps is, what is Sinn Féin's policy on the Gender Recognition Act? Do we put support it? I haven't been able to find out yet. O'Hara believes many people, whether living in a rural or urban area, have a 'live and let live' attitude to the issue. This was why he was so shocked and disappointed at the recent statements by Sinn Fein spokespeople', adding that he believes they are 'jumping on every passing bandwagon'. 'It's a pity that this whole toxic debate has spread to this country, but given recent statements by Sinn Féin TDs I think Sinn Féin leadership needs to urgently clarify their position on this issue – so that members, supporters and trans people know where we stand.' When contacted about whether Sinn Féin supports Ireland Gender Recognition Act, a spokesperson for the party said: 'Yes, the Gender Recognition Act is a matter of law since 2015.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
