An Equality Authority conference has heard examples of discrimination against Ireland's transgender population in public, at work and in school.
The authority is today launching its observations on the new Gender Recognition Bill, which will allow people to have their gender changed on a birth certificate.
However, it has voiced serious concerns over a requirement will force transgender people to divorce to have their gender recognised.
About 1% of the Irish population is gender variant, with currently no way of having birth certs changed to reflect preferred gender.
The Equality Authority has held the conference to air its views on the law which will change that - but it has been dominated with stories of discrimination.
The Equality Authority has broadly welcomed the new Bill. But it has slammed the requirement for transgender people to be single before they are legally recognised.
Trans people suffer high levels of harassment, violence and have a high suicide rate.
Equality Authority CEO Brian Merriman says it is not fair.
Broden Giambrone, the CEO of the Transgender Equality Network, says harassment and violence starts at a young age.
Philippa is a transgender woman who is married to Helen. She says the requirement has to go.
