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Support HB 1761: Gender Marker Bill
SUPPORT HB 1761
Providing for the change of gender marker on identity documents
HB 1761 would provide for the change of gender marker on a birth certificate or driver's license upon the sworn affidavit of a licensed physician. Surgical intervention is not a prerequisite for a court-ordered change of gender marker.
The passage of HB 218 by the House [See Equality Texas Action Alert], which requires a voter to present proof of identity, is yet another example of why changes in name and gender marker are critical to transgender Texans. The ability to function within society is completely tied to accurate identification and legal documents.
Where Do You Stand?
If your state representative is a member of the House Committee on Public Health, please take action now.
The members of the House Committee on Public Health are: Dianne White Delisi (R-Temple), Jodie Laubenberg (R- Rockwall), Jim Jackson (R-Carrollton), Ellen Cohen (D-Houston), Garnet Coleman (D-Houston), Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen), Susan King (R-Abilene), Dora Olivo (D-Rosenberg), and Vicki Truitt (R-Keller). Click on the representative's name to see voting history on LGBT issues as compiled by Equality Texas.
Don't know your representative? Find out here.
Please ACT NOW (if your representative is a member of the House Committee on Public Health).
Join the %adv-participants-support_gender_marker_bill% other concerned Texans who have sent their message of support for HB 1761 to the House Committee on Public Health.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: HB 1761 Needs a Public Hearing
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
As your constituent, I am asking you to support HB 1761 by Coleman, the Gender Marker Bill.
HB 1761 would provide for the change of gender marker on a birth certificate or driver's license upon the sworn affidavit of a licensed physician. Surgical intervention is not a prerequisite for a court-ordered change of gender marker.
The gender marker on state identity documents is supposed to help police identify people quickly. The marker should reflect how the person identifies and appears. Without this bill, a person's expressed gender may not be the gender indicated on official state documents.
Whether because of prohibitive cost, preference, or difficulty, only a small portion of transgender people undergo sex reassignment surgery. However, state identity documents should reflect the gender marker that conforms to the person's expressed gender identity.
It it very difficult to get, or keep, a job if a person's expressed gender differs from the gender marker on their driver's license or birth certificate. Changing the gender marker on state identity documents will help to alleviate this problem.
The "real life test" is a critical step in the process of sex reassignment. The test requires a person to begin to live their life as their expressed gender. Changing the gender marker on identity documents at the beginning of this process is appropriate because it reflects real life - the gender in which the person is living their life.
The passage of HB 218, requiring proof of identity in order to vote, exemplifies why name and gender marker changes are critical to transgender Texans. The ability to function within society is tied to accurate identification and legal documents.
As your constituent, I am asking you to SUPPORT HB 1761, give it a public hearing, and report it favorably out of committee.
Sincerely,
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