Transgender and nonbinary Rhode Islanders can now update their birth certificates to align with their affirmed gender through a simple form thanks to a new regulation that went into effect yesterday — which also happened to be International Transgender Day of Visibility.
According to a press release from Boston-based GLAD (GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders):
As of today, March 31, 2021, gender on Rhode Island birth certificates can be updated through a self-attestation form. This means that Rhode Islanders can change their birth certificate to align with their affirmed gender (X, F, or M) without a notarized medical professional affidavit. This significant advance is thanks to the sustained advocacy of transgender and non-binary Rhode Islanders, led by Thundermist Health Center and the Trans Action Coalition, in collaboration with GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders. …
The Rhode Island Department of Health website has not yet been updated to reflect this update, but we anticipate that it will be updated soon. We are grateful for RIDOH’s work to address the needs of transgender and non-binary Rhode Islanders. With this change, transgender and non-binary Rhode Islanders now have greater access to birth certificates that align with their affirmed gender.
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