Governor Mike Pence along with Indiana state officials are being sued by a transgender man who was prohibited from changing his legal name because of his immigration classification in that state. The lawsuit was filed by MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund) & Transgender Law Center on behalf of a 31-year-old Indiana resident who alleges that a 2010 state law requiring proof of citizenship to obtain a change of legal name is unconstitutional. The plaintiff who was granted asylum in the U.S. last year stated, “I want to use a name that is in line with my true identity. Without a legal name change, I am forced to use an I.D. that is inconsistent with who I am & puts me in danger of harassment, violence & being outed as transgender whenever I present it. I am simply asking for equal treatment under the law.” The plaintiff, listed as “John Doe” in the complaint, was born in Mexico & raised in Indiana where he moved with his family when he was six-years old. Although born & raised as a girl, he has lived his entire adult life as a man & is recognized as a male on all official U.S. documents & his Indiana state ID. However, he remains unable to change his legal name in Indiana because of the 2010 state law that precludes non-citizens, including legal residents, from petitioning the state for a change. Kris Hayashi, Executive Director of Transgender Law Center concluded, “Everyone should be able to live as their authentic selves no matter their gender identity or immigration status. Transgender immigrants already experience disproportionate violence without the government further jeopardizing their safety & privacy with this unnecessary and discriminatory rule.”
For More Info: transgenderlawcenter.org
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SHAME ON INDIANA ALLOWING THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO GET AWAY WITH SUCH A POLICY.
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