Vermont Ahead Of The Curve On Transgender Rights

[Shana A]

Vermont Ahead Of The Curve On Transgender Rights

Wednesday, 07/06/11 Noon and 7pm
Jane Lindholm, Vermont Edition host

http://www.vpr.net/episode/51517/

Two laws that passed this spring may make some aspects of life easier for transgender people in the state. One allows trans people born in Vermont to change their gender on their birth certificate, and obtain a new, clean copy, rather than an amended one. Another requires that single-stall bathrooms in state buildings be gender neutral. But there are still many other significant issues facing the trans community in the state, including trans-inclusive health care.

We discuss these and other issues with Jean-Denis Couillard, the HIV prevention program coordinator at RU12? Community Center, Morganne Ray, the Director of Client Services at Outright Vermont, and Kelly Riel, the founder of Vermonters Ending Transgender Oppression. And they share their experiences of being trans in Vermont.

[tekla]

Vermont is about the most progressive state, has been for a long time now.

[Shana A]

Vt. Takes Lead On Transgender Issues

Wednesday, 07/06/11 5:50pm
Jane Lindholm - Colchester, VT

http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/91314/

(Host) The transgender community in Vermont is hailing two laws quietly passed by the state legislature this year. One allows the gender label on Vermont birth certificates to be changed and for a new document to be produced.

Previously, the crossed-out gender would be visible on the amended document, effectively "outing" transgendered people when they had to show the document for employment or other purposes.

Kelly Riel, who founded the group Vermonters Ending Transgender Oppression, says another part of that law is especially significant: Vermont becomes the first state in the nation that allows people who have not had gender reassignment surgery, but who identify with a different gender, to make the change.