Ask Matt: The Legalities of Marriage in Trans Land

[Shana A]

Ask Matt: The Legalities of Marriage in Trans Land

November 21, 2011 by Matt Kailey

http://tranifesto.com/2011/11/21/ask-matt-the-legalities-of-marriage-in-trans-land/

A reader writes: "I am a transman in a committed relationship (6.5 years together) with a cisman. We met when I was still presenting as female, and he has been a source of unconditional love throughout the process. I hope to begin hormone therapy in early December, and he supports me.

"We were in a car accident last month, and he was flown to Shock Trauma – we're fine, but the incident got me thinking about how to have our relationship recognised by others, particularly medical professionals. It was dreadful to be in the waiting room, knowing his family could exclude me from his side, hoping the nurses would believe me when I expressed the strength of our relationship.

[Kreuzfidel]

Because my wife (cisgender female) and I (pre-op transman) are not yet legally married, we have taken what steps we can to protect ourselves if something were to happen to either of us. We have both had our wills drawn up and finalised, named one another as power of attorney and named one another in our Enduring Powers of Guardianship, which gives us the authority to make medically-relevant decisions on the other's behalf if either were incapacitated.  This is in South Australia, so I don't know what options are available to couples elsewhere.

[justmeinoz]

Tasmania has a Relationship Register, so there is some recognition and protection.