RTÉ has said that it is “supportive” of presenter Jonathan Clynch who has identified as ‘gender fluid’.
According to the Irish Times the RTÉ Radio One presenter told colleagues that he intends to dress as a woman and take on the additional name of ‘Rachel’.
When the news broke, the broadcaster released the following statement: “As an employer and organisation RTÉ encourages diversity and equality and RTÉ is supportive of Jonathan Rachel, a valued member of staff and a highly-respected journalist.”
Jonathan Rachel was due to appear on The Marian Finucane Show on Saturday morning to discuss his decision however the host revealed that he pulled out of the interview when a newspaper ran with the story.
She explained: “After today’s front page, Jonathan wants to speak about his decision on his own terms.
“He was to come in and talk to us here today about the whole thing and to explain it and how his life and that will be changed for the better for him now, but he only found out yesterday that this would be in the papers today.”
The reaction to the news on Twitter has been really positive…
Congratulations, Jonathan Rachel Clynch, may you continue to smash the gender binary with pride.
— Emer McHugh (@emeramchugh) September 13, 2015
Well done to RTÉ for their positive support for their employee Jonathan Rachel Clynch. That’s how an employer ought to react. — Marty O’Prey (@MartyOPrey) September 12, 2015
Some people may laugh at Jonathan Rachel Clynch but what he has done takes tremendous courage.
— gerard moloney (@GerardRMoloney) September 12, 2015
