Panel backs transgender woman in restroom case in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Human Rights Commission decided Monday that a transgender woman was discriminated against at a Denny’s restaurant in Auburn when management would not let her use the ladies room until she had sex reassignment surgery.
While the lawyer representing the Denny’s owners said that the 3-2 decision could have far-reaching, negative consequences for all Maine businesses with shared restroom facilities, it was hailed as a civil rights victory by the Maine Civil Liberties Union and advocacy organization Equality Maine.
“It’s important to know that people have rights, including transgender [people], and that businesses are not free to discriminate,” said Zachary Heiden, the legal director of the MCLU.
See Panel backs transgender woman in restroom case Bangor Daily News
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Tenn. nixes marriage of transgender woman, man
(Clarksville, Tenn.) Tennessee authorities have invalidated the 18-month marriage of a transgender woman and a man, saying the state considers them both men.
Jo T. Rittenberry, 46, was born a man and claims to have had sex reassignment surgery in Canada. The Clarksville Leaf Chronicle reported that she had officials legally …
Tags: Authorities, Canada, Clarksville Leaf Chronicle, Clarksville Tennessee, marriage, Nixes, Rittenberry, Sex Reassignment Surgery, Tenn, Transgender, Woman And A Man, Woman ManCalifornia Court of Appeal Affirms Right of Transgender Individuals Living Out-of-State to Change California Birth Certificates
San Francisco, April 14, 2009 - In a groundbreaking victory for transgender people born in California, the California Court of Appeal ruled on Friday that any person can amend their California birth certificate regardless of their current state of residence. Previously, only current California residents could amend their California birth certificates.
In a unanimous decision, the California Court of Appeal held that all people born in California, regardless of where they currently reside, can petition a California court for a new birth certificate. The strongly-worded decision was authored by Presiding Judge James J. Marchiano, who stated that “we discern no compelling state interest in treating California-born transgender individuals who reside out of state differently from California-born transgender individuals who reside in California when either class seeks issuance of a new California birth certificate.”
The case was brought by Transgender Law Center (TLC) on behalf of Gigi Marie Somers. Ms. Somers, a sixty-seven year old transgender woman, was born in California and now lives in Kansas. Ms. Somers underwent sex reassignment surgery in 2005 and has lived as a woman for a decade. When she sought to have a new California birth certificate issued reflecting her female gender, she learned that out-of-state residents were required to obtain a court order from the state in which they resided. Unfortunately, Ms. Somers was not able to obtain a court ordered gender change from her county of residence in Kansas. Left in legal limbo and unable to change her birth certificate, Ms. Somers contacted TLC for help. After the San Francisco Superior Court denied her petition due to the residency requirement, TLC Legal Director Kristina Wertz represented Ms. Somers before the Court of Appeal.
“We are pleased that the Court of Appeal did the right thing for Ms. Somers and recognized her right to change her birth certificate,” said Ms. Wertz. “No one who is born in California should be denied the opportunity to change their birth certificate simply because they are transgender and have moved out of state. Ms. Somers can now rest assured that her birth record will always reflect who she truly is, a right that all people born in California enjoy. This is a landmark victory for transgender people all over the country.”
“I brought this petition because I did not feel that my transition would be complete until my birth certificate showed who I am. Everybody in my life accepts me for who I am, and I wanted to make sure my officials records did too,” said Ms. Somers. “I am extremely happy about this victory and grateful for all the work that TLC has done on my behalf.”
The decision also represents a victory for older transgender people. “It is courageous for a person at any age to fight for their identity. But to have a woman at the age of 67 seek recognition in two states to have her gender identity acknowledged takes remarkable bravery,” said Karen Taylor, Director of Advocacy & Training at Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE). “SAGE has many constituents who spent decades hiding who they were, living under terrible oppression and fear. We understand and celebrate the courage of all older adults who dare to step forward and demand to be acknowledged for who they are. Ms. Somers is an inspiration to all who seek justice and equal treatment, at any age.”
“We applaud the Transgender Law Center for winning this truly significant victory,” said Geoff Kors, Executive Director of Equality California (EQCA). EQCA is currently sponsoring the Equal ID Bill in the California legislature, which will statutorily ensure that transgender individuals can change their California birth certificates no matter where they presently live. Mr. Kors continued, “Our bill can now stand on the shoulders of this week’s landmark decision. Together, we are moving toward full equality for transgender people in California and across the country.”
The decision, Somers v. Superior Court, is currently available on the court’s website www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/documents/A123445.pdf.
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Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender-rights advocacy organization in California. In the past decade, EQCA has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil-rights protections in the nation. EQCA has passed over 50 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, public education and community empowerment. www.eqca.org
The Transgender Law Center (TLC) is a civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities. TLC uses direct legal services, education, community organizing, and advocacy to transform California into a state that recognizes and supports the needs of transgender people and their families. www.transgenderlawcenter.org
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Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender-rights advocacy organization in California. In the past decade, EQCA has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil-rights protections in the nation. EQCA has passed over 50 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, public education and community empowerment. www.eqca.org
The Transgender Law Center (TLC) is a civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities. TLC uses direct legal services, education, community organizing, and advocacy to transform California into a state that recognizes and supports the needs of transgender people and their families. www.transgenderlawcenter.org
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Transwomen sue Illinois for amended birth certificates
(Chicago, Illinois) Citing the need to have an accurate birth certificate for identification purposes, two women born in Illinois asked a court to order the State to issue new birth certificates that reflect their correct gender following sex reassignment surgery.
For more than four decades, Illinois has permitted individuals who have …
Tags: Birth Certificate, Birth Certificates, Chicago Illinois, More Than Four Decades, New Birth, Sex Reassignment Surgery, Transwomen, Two Women
