TRANS LEGAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Legal Document Changes
Sex change information for DMV Vermont:
To change the gender on a state issued ID, the applicant must submit a request in writing accompanied by a letter from a physician stating their sex and the date that transition was completed. Alternatively, the request may be accompanied by a statement from a physician, psychologist or psychiatrist stating that the applicant is irrevocably committed to the gender change and one gender predominates over the other. The statement must designate the target gender of the applicant. The statement must be signed by the physician, psychologist or psychiatrist and contain the printed name, address, license number and jurisdiction in which licensed.
Please note that the above forms and procedures for changing name and sex on a state issued ID vary from state to state.
Social Security Gender No-Match Letters and Transgender Employees
http://transequality.org/Issues/nomatch.html
US Passport name change information
If you cannot legally document your name change through a court order or marriage certificate, you must submit the following in person at an acceptance facility or a passport agency:
-current, valid US passport
-completed Form DS-11 (Application form for a US Passport)
-Any applicable fees
- At least 3 public records showing the date and place of birth that show exclusive use of your assumed name for at least 5 years.
-2 recent color photographs
US Passport sex change information
In order to change the sex on a US passport, the applicant must have a court ordered name change and a notarized letter from a surgeon showing you have had sex reassignment surgery.
See also:
http://www.tsroadmap.com/reality/passport.html
Local Legal Representation, Advice, and Support
Trans friendly Vermont Lawyers
Eileen Blackwood (employment discrimination)
Kohn, Rath, Blackwood & Danon, LLP
Hinesburg, VT
(802) 482-2905
eblackwood@kohnrath.com
Cynthia Broadfoot (Family law)
30 Main St # 322
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 863-7020
Judge Robert Pu
Marlboro District Court
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders
GLAD operates the Legal InfoLine, an excellent resource for general questions about rights, laws, and resources.
http://www.glad.org/rights/infoline/
SafeSpace at Pride Center of Vermont
(802) 863-0003
SafeSpace is a social change and social service program working to end physical, sexual, and emotional violence in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) people. We provide information, support, referrals, and advocacy to LGBTQQ survivors of violence and offer education and outreach programs in the wider community.
Are you experiencing or have experienced bias, discrimination, or hate violence? SafeSpace advocates are available to assist and support you, whether filing a claim, organizing a community response, or just being a supportive ear to listen to your experience. Please call Ann or Brenda for more information.
Vermont Human Rights Commission
National Policy Change Organizations
- FTM International
Serving the Female-to-Male Community Worldwide - GID Reform Advocates
Advocating reform of the psychiatric classification of gender diversity as mental disorder. - Intersex Initiative
Portland, Oregon based national activist and advocacy organization for people born with intersex conditions - Intersex Society of North America
The Intersex Society of North America (ISNA) is devoted to systemic change to end shame, secrecy, and unwanted genital surgeries for people born with an anatomy that someone decided is not standard for male or female. - National Center for Lesbian Rights
Transgender Law Cases and precedents - National Center for Transgender Equality
Dedicated to advancing the equality of transgender people through advocacy, collaboration, and empowerment - Sylvia Rivera Law Project
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence. - TGI Justice Project
Challenging human rights abuses committed against transgender, gender variant/genderqueer and intersex (TGI) people in California prisons and beyond - Transgender Civil Rights Project
The National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce’s Transgender law and legal pages - Transgender Law and Policy Institute
The Transgender Law and Policy Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging in effective advocacy for transgender people in our society. The TLPI brings experts and advocates together to work on law and policy initiatives designed to advance transgender equality. - Transgender Law Center
At the Transgender Law Center, we work with community members and allies to make California a state in which we can all fully and freely express our gender identities. On our site, you'll find one of the nation's most comprehensive collections of resources on transgender law, information about our innovative projects, and other resources. - Transgender Task Force
Transgender people and issues are core to our work at the Task Force. We are proud of our history as one of the first national LGBT organizations to include transgender people in our mission, starting in 1997.
Manuals and Handbooks
- Guidelines Regarding Gender Identity Discrimination
New York City Commission on Human Rights, excellent model for understanding Gender Identity non-discrimination laws in practice. Available in English and Spanish. - Opening the Door to the Inclusion of Transgender People: The Nine Keys to Making LGBT Organizations Fully Transgender-Inclusivepening the Door To Transgender Inclusion
2008 document co-produced by the NGLTF and National Center for Transgender Equality. - Peeing in Peace: A Resource Guide for Transgender Activists and Allies
by Transgender Law Center - Considerations for Sheltering Trans Women This brief list of topics / questions will help advocates and other victim service providers help a trans woman determine if and how to best access women-only shelters.
- Transgender Equality: A Handbook for Policy Makers and Activists
from the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce and National Center for Lesbian Rights - Transitioning our Shelters: A Guide To Making Homeless Shelters Safe for Transgender People
from the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce - Transgender Rights
The first comprehensive book on the transgender civil rights movement. Ed. by Paisley Currah, Richard M. Juang and Shannon Price Mintner. - Protecting the Rights of Transgender Parents and their Children: A Guide for Parents and Lawyers
A joint publication between the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Center for Transgender Equality, this guide provides information to transgender parents and their attorneys to help them protect parent-child relationships and assist them when faced with disputes over child custody issues. If you would like to order hard copies of the publication, please contact the ACLU LGBT & AIDS Project at lgbthiv@aclu.org or (212) 549-2627.