Date: Thursday, 5 February 2015
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Venue: William Fry Theatre, UCD Sutherland School of Law
The Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) and UCD Human Rights Network, UCD Sutherland School of Law invites you to a keynote address from Prof. Dr. Johanna Schmidt-Räntsch, Judge of the German Supreme Court, on
“(Trans)Gender Recognition in Germany: The Role of the German Courts”
The Keynote Address
As the Oireachtas begins to debate the first ever legislation to officially recognise transgender persons in Ireland, the Gender Recognition Bill 2014. There is still concern about some sections of the proposed Bill, with Trans persons arguing that they are too restrictive and would exclude some Trans people (see, here and here). Particularly contentious is a clause that would require Trans persons who are already married or in a civil partnership to divorce as a pre-condition for recognition in their preferred gender.
What can we learn from the experience of other European countries like Germany, where the Constitutional Court struck down a similar ‘compulsory divorce’ provision and other provisions of the German Transsexual Law as being in breach of the German Constitution or Basic Law? Judge Schmidt-Räntsch will discuss the German experience of gender recognition legislation and fundamental rights.
The event will be chaired by Hon. Ms. Justice Catherine McGuinness, former judge of the Irish Supreme Court. With contributions from Michael Farrell, of FLAC and Broden Giambrone of the Transgender Equality Network Ireland.
2 CPD Points available for practitioners
There is no charge for this event, however registration is required. Click here to register for the event. For registration enquiries, please contact law.events@ucd.ie. A reception will follow Prof. Dr. Schmidt-Räntsch’s keynote address.
Click here for more information on the event and speakers.