Ireland is far more accepting of transgender people than assumed

Ireland is more accepting of transgender people in reality than people perceive it to be, according to a new study conducted by Connector.

According to the survey, 40% of people presumed that Irish people are uncomfortable with transgender people. However, only 16% of Irish people are actually uncomfortable with sharing a bathroom with a transgender person.

The results were published to coincide with Pride Week, which is currently underway.

Ireland has come along way over the past few years in terms of its relationship with the LGBT community. 24 June marked 25 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland. The government recognised the occasion with a gathering in Dublin Castle last weekend led by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

With both hte Taoiseach himself and Minister for Children Katherine Zappone both out as gay, it is an opportune time for a fresh examination of Irish attitudes to the LGBTQ community

The Connector survey also revealed that 70% of those surveyed consider themselves “completely heterosexual”, while 7% state they are “completely gay”. The remaining 23% were “neither completely straight nor gay.” This is a figure that may startle traditionalists.

While Ireland has clearly become very accepting of gay and bisexual members of the LGBT community in recent years, it is still relatively new to the subject of transgender people and the particular challenges they face.

22% are more accepting of people of non-traditional gender identity than they were a year ago. It seems like a natural progression, given that it it is a topic that has been discussed much more widely and publicly over the course of the past year - most notably on the Late Late Show in May, in an item which was promoting a new RTÉ series called My Trans Life.

Another revelation in the survey is that 61% of people would start using gender-neutral pronouns in order to make another person more comfortable. The most common gender-neutral pronoun would be ‘they’ even in the context for a single person.

To celebrate Pride Week, there are various events running across the country to recognise and celebrate the LGBTQ community. The celebrations culminate with a parade in Dublin on Saturday 30 June which attracts thousands of visitors every year.

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