Sharon Keogan urges end to prohibition on gender debate
Sharon Keogan called for the end of a prohibition on open discussion of sex, gender and gender ideology, arguing for evidence-based, respectful debate. She warned that silence has allowed a single worldview to shape laws and society without scrutiny.
Call to end prohibition
Keogan rose to demand the lifting of what she described as a prohibition on free and open discussion about sex, gender and gender ideology. She said the forum should allow parents, teachers, doctors and citizens to ask questions out of care and concern rather than hate.
Cited international recommendations
Keogan cited a recent paper from the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, saying it recommended sweeping changes including legal self-identification with no age limits, a third gender on official documents, and free hormones and surgeries - even for children.
Concerns about impact on society
She argued those measures are not minor administrative tweaks but profound societal shifts that could effectively erase single-sex spaces and sports and redefine the relationship between parents, schools and the state.
Call for democratic, evidence-based debate
Keogan urged open, respectful, evidence-based discussion as the foundation of democracy, calling for space where differing views can be heard and legislated on wisely for the sake of children and society.
Closing invocation
She concluded with a repeated invocation - Goera Maiagot - reinforcing her call to speak freely, listen carefully and legislate with scrutiny and democratic consent.
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I rise today to call for the end of prohibition, a prohibition on free and open discussion on one of the most vitally important questions of our time, sex, gender and gender ideology. In a place so deeply personal to so many people's lives, instead of a fact-based discussion where we recognise that each of us spoke in good faith, we have been treated to a decade of suppression and silence. In that silence, we have allowed a single world view to shape our laws and society, often without scrutiny, without democratic consent and without regard for the consequences. Just last year, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights published a paper recommending that Member States, including Ireland, adopt sweeping changes to how we treat gender identity. These include legal self-identification with no age limits. A third gender on official documents and free hormones and surgeries, even for children. It also calls for the teaching of gender identity in schools and the recognition of children's gender identities, regardless of age. These are not minor administrative tweaks. These are profound societal shifts. One that would, if implemented, effectively erase single sex spaces and sports and redefine the relationship between parents, schools and the state. And yet, where is the debate? Where is the space for parents, teachers, doctors and citizens to ask questions? Not out of hate, but out of care, concern and a desire for truth. Agarheerlach, I am here to ask for what should be the foundation of any democracy – open, respectful and evidence-based discussion. Let us lift the prohibition on debate. Let us speak freely, listen carefully and legislate wisely, for the sake of our children, our society and our shared future. Goera Maiagot. Goera Maiagot. Goera Maiagot. You
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