Washington DC Proposing Legislation To Ease Trans Birth Certificate Guidelines

More positive news out of Washington DC in that the District of Columbia is working on legislation that would make it easier for trans people to obtain new birth certificates reflecting the people they are now.

“D.C.’s law as it currently exists makes it really hard for trans people to get their vital records in line with who they really are,” said Andy Bowen of the DC Trans Coalition in an interview with WRC-TV

Under the old rules to get a birth certificate change not only required genital surgery, but public notification for several days via classified newspaper ads.  The new ones would simply require a certified statement from a medical doctor and issue a new birth certificate rather than amending the old one.  

Too bad Washington DC's proposed approach isn't universal across this country.   Would make things a lot easier documentation wise for transpeople.   

The DC  Council Judiciary Committee has already approved the legislation and it will come before the full DC City Council in the next few weeks where it is expected to easily pass. 

Jenifer Rene Pool's Council Campaign Gets Houston GLBT Political Caucus Endorsement

Jenifer Rene Pool is trying to make trans history on a number of fronts in her history making Houston City Council run.

If she wins she not only would become the first open trans person elected to political office in the state of Texas and the city of Houston, she would also become the first transperson elected to a city council in a municipality with a population larger than 250,000 people.

Jenifer is running for the At-Large Position 2 seat on our newly expanded council being vacated by the term limited Sue Lovell, and her candidacy got a major boost with the August 3 endorsement of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus.  If you're a Democratic or liberal progressive politician in this city, it's a sought after endorsement and of course she's ecstatic about it.

Jenifer has also received the endorsements of the Houston Stonewall Democrats, the Houston Stonewall Young Democrats, and Democracy For Houston in addition to this GLBT Political Caucus one.   And yep, here's the link to her campaign website so y'all can help a transsister out with some cash and find out where she stands on the issues important to Houston voters.

Congrats Jenifer!  You deserve it.   I'll be proud to cast a ballot for you in the first city election I get to participate in since moving back home and here's hoping you get to make history on November 8.