Texas does not allow transgender people to change their birth certificates.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, (R) Photo.
The new policy change, which was made without warning or announcement, will put trans people at risk of discrimination. The new policy change, which was made with no forewarning or announcement, will put trans people at risk of discrimination.
Previously, trans people could change the sex marker on their birth certificates by presenting proof of gender-affirming surgery, a court order signifying that they had “fully transitioned” and supporting statements from medical professionals. A spokesperson for the Department of State Health Services told The Texas Newsroom that these are no longer acceptable.
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Additionally, the DSHS website previously listed directions on how to change one’s assigned sex at birth on their birth certificate — these directions have since been removed.
Related:
Additionally, the DSHS website previously listed directions on how to change one’s assigned sex at birth on their birth certificate — the directions have since been removed.
“Recent public reports have highlighted concerns about the validity of court orders purporting to amend sex for purposes of state-issued documents. DSHS wants to know if the Office of Attorney General can help determine if these concerns apply to changes to vital records. Van Deusen was likely referencing state Attorney General Ken Paxton’s continued efforts to oppose the legal recognition of trans people in Texas.
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Last week, Paxton blocked trans people from being able to change the sex marker on their driver’s license. This is part of his sweeping policy to oppose gender-affirming care for trans people, particularly trans minors, who have reported mental and emotional distress over laws targeting their educational and healthcare rights.
Paxton’s crusade is also part of an onslaught of policies across the country to deny any legal recognition of trans people. Five other states are enacting policies restricting birth certificates, according to the Movement Advancement Project.
The Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) wrote of the new policy changes on Instagram, stating, “We are committed to keeping the community safe and will do all we can to assure trans Texans can get the most accurate information as possible through these rolling changes.”
“Trans people have and always will exist. Trans people have and always will exist. We will overcome transphobic bigotry,” TENT’s post added. TENT added: “We will overcome transphobic prejudice.”
Johnathon Gooch, communication director for Equality Texas wrote that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had bullied state agencies to deny the updates transgender Texans needed. Ironically, the top legal officer of the state has told state agencies to ignore court orders issued by state judges. So, what should be a simple administrative task has now become a nightmare.”
Because birth certificates are used to help correct the gender markers on trans people’s driver’s licenses and other government-issued identity documents, if these commonly used documents don’t match their gender identity, it effectively outs a person as trans. This outing can lead to difficulty accessing various services as well as harassment and violence.
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