Trans and intersex people. Discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender identity and gender expression

Within the broader context of discrimination, discrimination on the grounds of gender identity and gender expression, as well as discrimination on grounds of sex vis-à-vis intersex people, are particularly complex issues. This is due to the fact that the legal recognition and rights afforded to this community are often intertwined with specific medical and psychological obligatory requirements.

The report begins by describing discrimination on the grounds of gender identity and gender expression, including in particular the challenges faced by trans people in their lives and the demands of the trans community. This part also clarifies the definitions used in the context of trans discrimination, and the terms used by the community to represent the diversity within it. Linked to this part of the report is an annex that contains a glossary of the most important terms. The report shows that negative attitudes towards trans and intersex people are often directly correlated to the importance that a determinate society places on the binary gender model, as well as the levels of gender stereotypes, sexism and gender inequalities that exist within it.

The European Network of Legal Experts in the Non-discrimination Field http://www.non-discrimination.net/

European Commission: DG Justice: Tackling discrimination http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/index_en.htm

European Commission: DG Justice: Trans and intersex people Discrimination on the grounds of sex, gender identity and gender expression http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/files/trans_and_intersex_people_web3_en.pdf

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