100 women of 2024: Saoirse Mackin hopes 'everyone can live their lives without fear'
Linehan Fitzgerald's Saoirse Picture Cork At Park, Dan Mackin
Saoirse Mackin recently bought a bike so she could flee a potential assailant on the streets of Cork more quickly than on foot.
The 25-year-old LGBT+ community engagement officer and law student, who is transgender, is subjected to frequent abuse both on the streets and on social media.
She has been threatened with stabbings on , the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, and she no longer checks communications there as they contain thousands of abusive and threatening messages.
But despite the discrimination and abuse she is subjected to, she is working to change Ireland for the better.
She is running as a first-time candidate in the upcoming local elections for the Social Democrats in Cork City North West and is now busy canvassing and campaigning.
The housing crisis, the cost of living crisis and the lack of representation for LGBT+ and young people in politics motivated her to run for election.
“It’s been positive overall on the doorsteps. A lot of people are really looking for change,” she said.
“I felt the full force of the housing crisis. I’m working but I’m also still a student which can make expenses very high.”
Housing is particularly difficult to secure for people who are transgender, she said.
“Seven out of eight times we were refused the home because of discrimination.
“A lot of trans people are also forced out of their family home when they come out, so there’s a big problem with trans homelessness.”
A rise in hate crime and hate speech in Ireland and across the EU is a constant worry for many LGBT+ people, she added.
“Hate crime is up across Europe,” she says. “I know trans and gay people who have been hospitalised after attacks in Cork. Even after the physical injuries heal, the psychological scars can remain.
“I used to always walk home after a night out, there was no late bus on my route and taxis were too expensive.
“But it felt unsafe so I bought a bike.
“Whether it’s carrying keys or cycling, women and LGBT+ people are always trying to improve their safety.
“I hope that we progress enough as a society so that everyone can live their lives without fear.”
- Saoirse Mackin is one of our 100 women of 2024. Read the full list here.