The government is being urged not to force transgender people to divorce their partners under forthcoming legislation recognising transgender identity.

The Social Protection Minister Joan Burton says the legislation giving formal recognition to transgender people is at an advanced staged and has undergone extensive scrutiny by the Attorney-General.

However members of the transgender community are unhappy with a provision in the new law.

It would force them to divorce if they are married once the legislation is passed.

Vanessa Lacey is from the Transgender Equality Network and was born male-assigned.

She says that while the provision will offer real changes it will split-up happy families.

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