Know Your Rights: A Guide for Trans and Non-Binary People is the first comprehensive resource of its kind in Ireland.

It sets out in plain English the rights of trans and non-binary adults and young people, with information on areas including legal gender recognition, family life, healthcare, safety and protection from harm, education, protections in the workplace, access to goods and services, interactions with law enforcement, prison and sports.

The development of the guide was funded by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) through its annual grants scheme, with legal advice provided pro bono by lawyers at the FLAC LGBTQI+ Legal Advice Clinic and A&L Goodbody.

Developed with the support of these legal experts and building on consultations with rights-holders, the guide aims to empower trans and non-binary people to understand, claim and vindicate their rights in Ireland.

It will also support professionals working with trans and non-binary people to ensure their rights are vindicated through their work, and be useful for family members and allies of trans and non-binary people.

Speaking today at the launch of the guide, ICCL executive director Joe O’Brien said: “Trans and non-binary people deserve to live with dignity, in safety and free from discrimination in every aspect of their lives.

“ICCL is deeply concerned by growing efforts to undermine the rights of gender-diverse communities. This guide comes at a critical time, as we mark the 10th anniversary of the Gender Recognition Act.

“Now more than ever, it’s crucial that trans and non-binary people of all ages have easy access to clear and accurate information about their rights and legal protections arising from a variety of sources, including Irish and EU law.”

TENI executive director Daire Dempsey added: “This resource is the first of its kind in Ireland and is a significant step towards ensuring that all trans and non-binary individuals across the country can access clear and easy-to-understand information about their rights, as adults and under 18.

“The guide was developed in consultation with trans and non-binary individuals to ensure that it met the needs and information gaps of the community. TENI also spoke to professionals who may find themselves supporting or advocating for a trans or non-binary person in their life, including young people.

“The resource lays bare the many barriers and gaps in legal protections trans and non-binary people face in enjoying their rights, including in accessing gender-affirming care and gaps in legal gender recognition.

“TENI will keep advocating to strengthen protections for trans and non-binary people in Ireland, to realise the rights and equal status of trans and non-binary people, and to build an Ireland where everyone can live in dignity, safety, and happiness.”

ShoutOut executive director Ruadhán Ó Críodáin said: “Although significant advancements have been made within the past decade to advance trans rights, many in our community still face legal and social barriers to living authentically.

“ShoutOut is committed to delivering education which empowers allies to act so that services, schools, workplaces and communities are truly inclusive of trans and non-binary people, empathetic to our needs and mindful of our affirmed rights.

“This guide will be complemented by an educational capacity-building workshop for service providers and other professionals working with trans and non-binary communities designed to strengthen understanding of the legal rights of trans and non-binary individuals and to support organisations in promoting and vindicating those rights in practice.”