Transgender Activists Aim to Ease Birth Certificate Revisions

In New York, a group of transgendered men and women are fighting to make it easier for people to change their genders on birth certificates. The BBC reports that under current law, gender can only be amended on birth certificates if a person has undergone "convertive surgery."

Birth certificates are required to apply for public benefits, register for school, marry, and for a host of other circumstances. This has become problematic for transgender individuals who attempt to obtain government-issued identification, especially when their expressed gender does not match the one listed on the birth certificate.

Three transgender people sued the state in 2011 because of the roadblocks they encountered when they tried to obtain government-issued documents.

"Having something as simple as government recognition of our authentic gender identity goes a long way in promoting health, wellness, and safety," Masen Davis, executive director of the Transgender Law Center in San Francisco told The BBC."

Opponents of the current law argue that gender is "the contents of a person's mind and soul," not in their genitalia.

"Recognition of our gender is really a matter of basic human dignity," Davis added.

New York isn't the only state facing this problem. In 2011, the Transgender Law Center in California successfully pushed for passage of legislation ending surgery as a requirement to obtain a new birth certificate.

On a federal level, in 2010, the U.S. State Department issued new guidelines for changing gender in passports stating that "sexual reassignment surgery was no longer a prerequisite." Under the guidelines, if an applicant has "certification from an attending medical physician that the applicant has undergone appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition," they will be given a passport that reflects their new gender.

Gay Marriage is Top Priority for NJ Democrats

New Jersey Democratic legislators have vowed to make gay marriage the top priority in the new session of Congress—which started on January 10. An article on Newsmax.com reports that Senate Democrats argue that marriage equality is a civil rights issue, and that current civil union law—passed in December 2006—isn't working. The article states that the current state law is meant to give LGBT couples the same rights that straight married couples enjoy. Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, however, says the two are not equal. "Civil unions send a message to the public that same-sex couples and their families are not equal to married couples in the eyes of the law," Oliver told Newsmax.com. "It sends a message that same-sex couples are not good enough to warrant equality. This is the same wrong message we heard from segregation laws."

In 2009, a marriage equality bill was defeated 14-20. Certain lawmakers, however, have changed their position, and Senate President Stephen Sweeney is confident he now has the votes to pass it. Sweeney, who abstained to vote in 2009, has pledged to vote in favor of the legislation. He also told Newsmax.com that both Democrat and Republican Senators have reversed their position on gay marriage. But even if a marriage equality bill passes in congress, it will likely be vetoed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Sweeney did not indicate if he could secure enough voted to override a veto, but did say that Democratic legislators are ready and willing to do whatever it takes.

"We'll work to do what we have to do. We're going to work toward an override if necessary," he said.

Santorum Challenged on LGBT Rights

Republican Presidential candidate Rick Santorum continues to reaffirm his stance on the LGBT lifestyle. At a campaign stop in New Hampshire, he suggested to students at a private school that an imprisoned father is better than a gay dad. LGBTQNation.com reports that Santorum was questioned repeatedly about his position on gay marriage during his speech at Dublin School, which runs from 9th to 12th grade.

"Marriage is not a right," Santorum told the students. "It's a privilege that is given to society by society for a reason … We want to encourage what is the best for children." Santorum also said it was critical for children to have both a father and mother and that even an imprisoned father was preferable to a same-sex parent. Citing an anti-poverty expert, Santorum said, "Even fathers in jail who had abandoned their kids were still better than no father at all to have in their children's lives." LGBTQNation.com reports that the audience—half students and half local residents—reacted with snorts and applause.

This isn't the first time Santorum has been confronted about his beliefs. The Washington Post reports that he was "aggressively heckled" at a campaign stop in the parking lot of a Manchester, N.H. restaurant. He also sparred with college students in Durham, N.H. The Washington Post reports Santorum "shrugged off the heckles" stating, "I come from southwestern Pennsylvania. I represented a district that had more steel workers in it than any other district in America. This is nothing. This is cake. Steel workers, those are serious folks. This is no problem."

In the January 10 primary, he finished in a disappointing fourth, tying with Newt Gingrich.

Likely Victory Predicted for Marriage Equality in Washington State

The Associated Press is reporting that the Washington legislature is "on the verge of having enough support to approve gay marriage." The AP contacted all 49 senators and, through polling, discovered that more lawmakers are now firmly supporting gay marriage than opposing it. Currently at 22-18, and the measure needs just three more votes to pass the Senate. The House is expected to pass the bill. If Washington legalizes gay marriage, it will become just the seventh state to do so.

Law Seeks Protection for Religious Beliefs

Lawmakers in Tennessee are proposing legislation that would protect students who speak out against homosexuality, as long as their religious beliefs warrant it. TheDailyActivist.com reports that the new bill is "top priority" for the Family Action Council of Tennessee, an ultraconservative collective of Republicans. The group's December newsletter said that they aim "to make sure [the law] protects the religious liberty and free speech rights of students who want to express their views on homosexuality."

The Tennessee Equality Project, an LGBT advocacy group, says that the legislation "will allow students to hide their irrational biases behind an extreme religious belief." Tennessee Equality Project official Chris Sanders told TheDailyActivits.com that "this kind of legislation can send a message that it's ok to hate and we'll even give you religious sanction for it."

Chicago Cardinal Apologizes for Anti-LGBT Remarks

Chicago Cardinal Frances George apologized for likening the church's clash with the gay rights movement to the anti-Catholicism of the Ku Klux Klan. Despite the apology gay rights activists gathered in protest outside Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Ill. on January 8.

"It is totally inadequate," Andy Thayer, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network, said to The Chicago Tribune.

George, when asked about next summer's pride parade and whether or not it would disrupt Sunday services, had replied, "You know, you don't want the gay liberation movement to morph into something like the Ku Klux Klan, demonstrating in the streets against Catholicism."

Some, however, are satisfied with the Cardinal's apology. Joe Murray executive director of the Rainbow Sash Movement—a group of gay and lesbian Catholics who believe they should receive Holy Communion—believed George was sincere. "We asked for an apology, and we got an apology," said Murray.

Former Child Actress Comes Out

Kristy McNichol—the former child and teen star of Family and Empty Nest—revealed to People Magazine that she is a lesbian. In one of her first public statements in years, the Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning actress said her decision to open up about her private life was a matter of timing. "[I am] approaching 50, and want to be open about who I am."

McNichol also wanted to send a message to LGBT youth. Her publicist Jeff Ballard told the magazine that she is very sad about kids being bullied. "She hopes that coming out can help kids who need support," he said. "She would like to help others who feel different."

Editor's Note: The following editorial was written in response to Bill 3-12 introduced by Baltimore County Councilman Tom Quirk on January 17. Also known as "An Act Concerning Human Relations" this bill aims to protect people from discrimination in the areas of Public Accommodations, Employment, Housing, Education, and Finance on the basis of "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression."