These transgender men in Georgia won the right to change their names, and it’s a historic moment in trans rights
We’ll be the last to deny that times are rough, but we finally have a glimpse of hope, because these transgender men just won the right to name changes. Like, YES, good, finally! Gender identity is so personal, and places that choose to support gender identity as a real and valid thing, rather than shutting it down, are all too necessary. This is such a step in the right direction for trans rights.
But according to LGBTQ Nation, it wasn’t an easy fight. Things got off to a rocky start when the judge denied the men the ability to legally change their names, saying the name change would “confuse or mislead the general public.”
Columbia County Superior Court Judge J. David Roper said they could choose “gender neutral names” instead, which is just, like, what? Why is this even an issue?! Just a reminder of how far we still have to go on trans rights.
Luckily, with a lot of hard work and dedication, and help from Lambda Legal, an amazing LGBT rights group, the case was sent to the appeals court, and things worked out!
Ultimately, the appeals court decided the judge had “abused his discretion,” according to LGBTQ Nation Uh, yep. They went back to the original judge, and he had to allow them the right to change their names.
The Lambda Legal attorney, Beth Littrell, told LGBTQ Nation,
The unanimous decision is an “unequivocal win and a great precedent. “This decision solidifies an important right for the transgender community and obliterates the notion that living in conformity with their gender identity is somehow fraudulent or otherwise a concern for the government."
And we couldn’t agree more. You can support the important work of Lambda Legal here!
