AMA Says Transgender Patients Don't Need Surgery To Change Birth Certificate

[Olivia P]

Bruce Japsen, 6/09/2014 @ 3:19PM

The American Medical Association today said transgender people shouldn't have to have surgery to change their birth certificate.


The move by the AMA at the group's policy-making House of Delegates meeting adds an important medical voice to the recently contentious debate on the issue in state capitals across the country. Transgender people say they need IDs to accurately reflect their gender when they apply for jobs, travel and seek certain government services among other things.


Most states require a court order as well as proof the transgender person has had surgery before the local government will issue a birth certificate.

"State laws must acknowledge that the correct course of treatment for any given individual is a decision that rests with the patient and the treating physicians," said AMA President Dr. Ardis Dee Hoven.

More:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2014/06/09/ama-says-transgender-patients-dont-need-surgery-to-change-birth-certificate/

[Tysilio]

This is a huge step in the right direction. I hope New Jersey listens, as it'll probably be a few years before I'm able to get top surgery, and I'll be changing my name and gender marker this summer.