In this important article, Dr Em recounts the experiences of the ever-growing cohort of ‘trans widows’ – women whose husbands have decided to ‘live as a woman’ – and identifies patterns of abuse enacted on them. The tragedy that the perpetrators of this abuse are hailed as ‘stunning and brave’ adds to the pain experienced by these...

Our bodies have been used against us since Eve plucked the apple from the tree. Our lives are constrained by our biological functions from periods to pregnancy to menopause. These are things that only happen to females.

Now aged 23, the then 15-year-old Keira, troubled and depressed throughout her adolescence, became convinced that she was really a boy in a girl’s body. That psychological trauma led ultimately to a double mastectomy and years of hormone treatments that have left her sterile.

You may recall the controversy earlier this year relating to the HSE using the meaningless term ‘anyone with a cervix’ instead of ‘woman’ in its cervical screening literature. The National Screen Service Communications Working Group is now reviewing the language used – if you think the word ‘woman’ should be reinstated, please email info@cervicalcheck.ie before Monday.

What is the background to this case? Keira Bell is a 23 year old English woman who experienced gender dysphoria (GD) as a teenager. GD is a condition where “persons experience distress because of a mismatch between their perceived identity and their natal sex”, i.e. Keira Bell, who is a girl, wished to live as...

We represent two grassroots organisations, The Countess Didn’t Fight For This and Radicailín...

This is a slightly updated version of an article by Gráinne Mhaol that appeared originally on the Socialist Democracy (Ireland) website.

The case of Barbie Kardashian and the decision to house him in Limerick Prison amongst female prisoners drew Irish people’s attention to the concept and consequences of men being able to self identify as women and wider issues surrounding the question of where trans prisoners should be housed and with whom.