Pride of the Déise respond to Waterford TD's comments on legal definition of a woman
The group say they have "grave concerns" about the deputy's post. Stock Image
Waterford volunteer-led LGBTQIA organisation Pride of the Déise has written an open letter to Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane.
The letter on social media is in response to comments made by the Déise deputy on X (Twitter) that the recent Scottish Supreme Court ruling on the legal definitions of a woman and biological sex was a "common sense judgement."
Deputy Cullinane has since deleted the post and apologised.
In their letter, Pride of the Déise said they had "grave concerns" about the post.
They said the post "amplified a trans‑exclusionary narrative by leveraging the platform of an elected representative."
"The ruling confines the term “woman” to persons “born biologically female”, thereby excluding transgender women and men, and erasing the existence of intersex people.
"Such language legitimises discrimination and stands at odds with human rights, contemporary science and Sinn Féin’s own stated policy."
The group went on to say that Deputy Cullinane's comments were anti-science and asked that Sinn Féin and the deputy get training in the matter.
"TD Cullinane’s comments are anti-science. Biological sex is a complex set of chromosomal, hormonal and anatomical characteristics; it is not binary but actually exists along a spectrum that includes intersex variations.
"Gender is a social and legal construct that describes one’s lived identity; it is distinct from biological attributes."
"Recognising this distinction is critical to ensuring the dignity and safety of all members of society," wrote the group.
They pointed out that Deputy Cullinane is the Sinn Féin spokesperson on health and, as such, should make evidence-based comments.
"When the party’s lead voice on health policy amplifies a definition that erases these groups, the harm is multiplied: it risks legitimising exclusionary practices within clinical settings and undermines Sinn Féin’s own commitments to evidence‑based, patient‑centred care," wrote the group.
The group acknowledged the deputy's apology but said: "An apology that centres ‘hurt feelings’ without explicitly withdrawing the previous claim and correcting the misinformation therein does not constitute accountability. We must demand more from our elected representatives in this regard."
Pride of the Déise say they demand a full retraction, that the party restate their position and commit to training on trans-inclusive education.
They also demand Sinn Féin engage with those who have organised a demonstration on Saturday, April 19, against hate in Waterford.
"From our inception, Pride of the Déise has marched - never paraded - because Pride is, at its core, an act of protest. As an organisation whose mission centres safety and inclusivity, we have, to date, welcomed Sinn Féin to our marches.
"If Sinn Féin and Deputy Cullinane refuse or fail to implement the actions demanded above, the party will be barred from our 2025 Pride March and from every future celebration or community event we host.
"We will not grant a platform to any organisation whose local representative spreads anti‑trans propaganda that endangers our community and tacitly fuels violence against us.
"Pride of the Déise, as a community organisation, recognises - and takes with utmost seriousness - our responsibility to safeguard the dignity, safety and rights of every LGBTQIA+ person, and we will act decisively when safety to our community is threatened.
"Our community looks to Sinn Féin for principled leadership against the rise of the far‑right propaganda, as one of the largest political parties on the Island of Ireland. We urge you to demonstrate, through deeds as well as words, your commitment to a pluralistic, rights‑based republic," wrote the group.
On Wednesday, Deputy Cullinane took to X to support the news of the Supreme Court ruling.
The post said: "The Scottish Supreme Court ruling on the legal meaning of a woman is a common sense judgement. The ruling found that for the purposes of equality legislation, a woman means a biological woman, and sex refers to biological sex. It also confirmed that Trans people are protected under the equality legislation in a separate category of gender assignment. The ruling needs to be fully examined in this state."
Deputy Cullinane then deleted the post and issued the following statement on Thursday.
“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."
