Trans constituents ‘very upset’ over Cullinane post, Sinn Féin TD says

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

A Sinn Féin TD has said trans constituents contacted him after being “upset” by a social media post made by one of his colleagues.

Last week, Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane apologised for a post on X, formerly Twitter, about the UK court ruling on excluding trans women from the definition of “woman” in equality law.

Mr Cullinane said the “complex” issue needs to be approached with “compassion” and he apologised for any offence caused.

The UK Supreme Court ruled last week that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the 2010 Equality Act refer to a biological woman and "biological sex”.

This means transgender women with a gender recognition certificate can be excluded from single-sex spaces, such as changing rooms and homeless hostels, if “proportionate”.

On Wednesday evening, Mr Cullinane called for the ruling to be “fully examined in this state”.

The Waterford TD said on X: “The Scottish Supreme Court ruling on the legal meaning of woman is a common-sense judgement.

“The ruling found that for equality legislation, a ‘woman’ means a biological woman & ‘sex’ refers to biological sex.

“It also confirmed that trans people are protected under their Equality legislation in a separate category of gender reassignment.”

He subsequently deleted the post and stated: “I want to apologise for the hurt and offence that I have caused to the trans community following a tweet I sent last night.

“That was never my intention. This is a complex issue for many, but we need to approach it with compassion, understanding and dignity for all.

“I’m sure those in the trans community will feel vulnerable and isolated today in the aftermath of yesterday’s judgement, and I apologise that my words added to that.”

On Friday, Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin O Broin said his colleague “responded appropriately” in deleting the tweet and apologising, adding that he was satisfied the matter was closed.

Asked if the party needed to clarify its position on transgender people, Mr O Broin said: “The party’s policies are the party’s policies.

“And David Cullinane did the right thing in removing the tweet and apologising.

“I’ve been contacted by quite a few constituents who are trans, or family members of trans people who were very upset by it.

“The party is doing a piece of work around further developing a policy on trans rights and trans healthcare in due course.”