News (USA)

Rhode Island drops surgery requirement for transgender birth certificate changes

Rhode Island drops surgery requirement for transgender birth certificate changes

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Civil liberties advocates are praising the state of Rhode Island for making it easier for transgender residents to change their gender designation on their birth certificates.

Rhode-IslandThe American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island and the advocacy group Youth Pride say the Department of Health put in place new regulations this week removing the requirement that people have gender reassignment surgery before changing their gender on a birth certificate.

The groups say the new rule will allow a change if a medical provider certifies that the person has gone through surgical or hormone therapy or other appropriate treatment.

The regulations also allow for new birth certificates to be issued without designating that they have been changed.

The groups say several other states have made similar changes.

© 2014, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

Creighton University to offer same-sex benefits despite archbishop’s objection

Previous article

Apple CEO Tim Cook challenges home state of Alabama on LGBT rights

Next article