On this week's Out & Proud, hosted by Trevor Keegan, Grand Marshall at this year's Pride Parade and Chief Executive of Shout Out, Ruadhán Ó Críodáin talks about a difficult year for trans-people globally, the loneliness of travelling for healthcare and some of the supports available in Ireland.
When asked about the difficulties faced by trans people in the past year, Ó Críodáin said: "It feels like a very tough year for trans people around the world, yeah. It feels really tough especially when we look quite close to home, in the UK and to some extent Northern Ireland."
In particular, he points to the recent decision by the UK Supreme Court that under the Equality Act the term "woman" refers to those who are born biologically female, excluding trans women.
"This is targeting trans women in terms of public life, in terms of accessing spaces", he adds, noting that since this decision was passed down there has been confusion over what it will actually mean in practice for service providers and workplaces.
"We're seeing a roll-back on rights for trans people in the UK, particularly in England, and we're seeing a roll-back on rights for trans people in the States as well when it comes to things like healthcare and legal recognition.
"That does affect Irish people, it's become quite challenging to travel to the US now as a trans person. I won't be going near the States for the next four years while Trump's in power, because they now ask you questions about your assigned sex at birth on the Esta application. My passport says 'male' as a trans man, I can travel safely, that's kind of the whole point of having gender recognition on that passport, for protection.
"But now the Esta application effectively forces trans people to out themselves", he added.
As for accessing trans healthcare in Ireland, Ó Críodáin says he's been on the waiting list for the National Gender Service for four years.
"The waiting list at the moment for trans people to have their first appointment with the Gender Service is anywhere between three and 13 years depending on how you measure it. There's over 2,000 people currently on the waiting list and they're seeing people at a rate of less than 200 a year some years."
He added that a list that long means that when a trans person joins the list, they do so "in total hopelessness". Seeking healthcare as a trans person, he says, feels like doing so in a "state of limbo".
Keegan also speaks to pharmacist, lecturer and founder member of The Professional Association for Trans Health Ireland (PATHI), Nicola Cantwell who is leading an initiative to make pharmacies "rainbow-ready" to meet the needs of the trans community.
Listen to Out & Proud, Saturday nights at 8.30pm on RTÉ Radio 1 and the RTÉ Radio app or anytime, wherever you get your podcasts.
