New York City to decide on easing requirements for birth certificate gender changes

The New York City Council’s Health Committee has scheduled a hearing on plans to eliminate the need for gender-reassignment surgery in order to change an individual’s gender on documents and birth certificates.

New York City was the first in the US to allow transgender people the ability to self-designate their gender on ID without the need to provide other documentation.

However, the city still requires transgender people born in New York City to undergo surgery before it will issue them birth certificates with correct gender designations.

The changes to the law would make it easier for transgender populations, who often face difficulty securing accurate identification, to obtain documents affirming their gender.

Associate Press reports a health professional would be able to affirm that the change would more accurately reflect the individual’s gender.

The hearing, to be held on Monday, follows the passage of similar legislation in Vermont, Washington DC, California, Oregon, Rhode Island and New York state.

• Dec 01 2023

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