Transgender people often face a legal labyrinth when changing gender on identity documents
By Emily Gurnon
Posted: 01/04/2009 12:01:00 AM CST

http://www.twincities.com/ci_11361606

When Carrie PepinSmith wanted to become Cary PepinSmith, a Hennepin County judge had no problem granting the request.

But when the 44-year-old transgender man wanted to change the "F" on his birth certificate to an "M," the judge balked.

"He had no idea how to change the gender on my birth certificate," PepinSmith said. But he'd heard other people had gone to the same place, the Hennepin County Courthouse, and had both the name and gender designation changed at once.

"So why is there no consistency in this?" he wondered.