State denies updated birth certificates for transgender Floridians
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Florida's health department has been denying updated birth certificates for transgender Floridians, even those whose other government-issued identification reflects their gender identity, according to The 19th.
State of play: Transgender Floridians previously were able to update their birth certificates if they provided documentation, such as proof of clinical treatment and a legal name change.
- Now, the state health agency's Bureau of Vital Statistics no longer considers those records acceptable, according to letters sent to applicants and reviewed by the news outlet.
Why it matters: Without accurate documents, trans people risk being outed and face possible harassment or discrimination in their daily lives.
The big picture: The move is the latest example of Florida's state agencies enacting anti-LGBTQ+ policies outside of the legislature.
- In January, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles quietly rescinded a policy allowing transgender people to obtain a driver's license corresponding with their gender identity.
Flashback: In 2018, Florida relaxed its conditions for updating gender markers on birth certificates, expanding who could apply, according to The 19th.
- Prior to 2018, proof of sex reassignment surgery was needed. After, documentation from medical providers detailing clinical treatment for gender transition was accepted.
The bottom line: LGBTQ+ legal experts told The 19th the best option for trans Floridians is to update all other government-issued IDs, which can often be used instead of state identification.