Victory for trans woman who was refused name change at bank - UK

[MadelineB]

Victory for trans woman who was refused name change at bank
A trans woman has received compensation from First Direct after the bank refused to change the name on her account during her transition.

by Harriet P Evans
posted 17 August 2012

http://news.pinkpaper.com/NewsStory/7648/17/08/2012/victory-for-trans-woman-who-was-refused-name-change-at-bank.aspx



Rebecca Williams has received compensation after First Direct (a subsidiary of HSBC) refused to change the name on her account, which she was trying to do as she was a transitioning transgender woman.

Miss Williams was asked for a deed poll. The bank then said they needed to see her gender reassignment certificate. They then asked Miss Williams to take another deed poll into a HSBC branch, whilst posting in the original.

Each time Miss Williams dealt with the bank she was obliged to give her old name, compounding her discomfort: "Every phone call I made was painful for me."

"As a transitioning transgender woman it was very painful for me to continue using a male debit card when paying for things – it was embarrassing."

Miss Williams discovered she could not even transfer her account to a new bank because to do this both old and new accounts must be in the same name.

After complaining to the bank about how she was treated, she received £100 compensation. As part of accepting the apology from the bank, Miss Williams insisted that First Direct change their company policy to make it easier for trans customers in the future.

[lilacwoman]

I banked with HSBC and just went in one day and said I need my name changing please.

It is an offence to demand sight of a GRC so she should have taken them to court and had them fined £5,000.

On th eother hand if she had her GRC she was no longer transitioning?

[AbraCadabra]

I'm simply HAPPY to hear/read this finally happy outcome.

In my case I am STILL waiting for MY local bank to change my name. They insist on the new (local, SA) ID card and that has been in the works since last YEAR November!

I keep asking every 3 weeks and get the same "call on us again" answer since then.

As for Europe, American Express charge card needed a certified copy of my new (German) passport and all was changed in no time.

My bank (Deutsche Bank) wanted both... my Court order stating name and gender change PLUS certified copy of my passport, this then prompted signing new papers like opening a new account... though all other 'parameters' length of membership, ownership of stocks and bonds and credits to my account for pension and dividends was not affected.

Axélle
PS: European names are of no particular gender issue to most all local (Black) sales staff at the tills; this in turn made it less of an issue for me during my long on-going wait to change my local bank account.
EVERYTHING, in SA is now in need of one's ID number and this -to the knowing- tells one if it is male or female in the number code...

[Padma]

On th eother hand if she had her GRC she was no longer transitioning?

The report didn't say she had a GRC, it said that the bank demanded to see one before they'd change her records (which is indeed both incorrect and illegal).

I had this happen with the Co-operative Bank - I phoned their Customer Services and was told that their computer system was telling them I need a GRC. So I walked into a branch instead, and got it sorted in 5 minutes flat, just with a letter from my gender clinic.

Then I wrote to the bank, pointing out that they were breaking the law by asking to see a GRC, and explaining what the GRC is - and is not - for.

[AbraCadabra]

GRC? Governance, Risk, & Compliance, oh yeah?

Axélle

[Padma]

GRC = Gender Recognition Certificate.

Its one and only purpose in the UK is to allow the holder to get their birth certificate changed to show their "new" gender.

Once you have one, it is illegal for anyone to ask to see it for any other purpose than that, or to tell anyone else they've seen it, thus outing you.

You have to have been provably living full-time for 2 years to get one - it is not necessary to have had GRS to get one, though it's easier if you have.

It is in no way "proof" of gender. It's only meant for that one purpose, to change the birth certificate. Although, in practice, if you want to change your gender status with the tax office, you need one. It's all a bit badly thought out.

[Nicolette]

I had my name changed with Barclays 15 years ago. All I did was send them my deed poll with a note from Russel Reid (psychiatrist).  No issues were encountered.

[AbraCadabra]

GRC = Gender Recognition Certificate.

Its one and only purpose in the UK is to allow the holder to get their birth certificate changed to show their "new" gender.

Once you have one, it is illegal for anyone to ask to see it for any other purpose than that, or to tell anyone else they've seen it, thus outing you.

You have to have been provably living full-time for 2 years to get one - it is not necessary to have had GRS to get one, though it's easier if you have.

It is in no way "proof" of gender. It's only meant for that one purpose, to change the birth certificate. Although, in practice, if you want to change your gender status with the tax office, you need one. It's all a bit badly thought out.

Thanks sweetie, for the insight shared. It seems the system in Germany has also now changed in that one may get a gender change by Court Order so as to change one's birth certificate without SRS (for MtF)...
Whatever blows our hair back eh?