The Oregon House today passed House Bill 2673, which streamlines and makes private the process to update name and gender on personal vital records for transgender individuals.
Currently, about one in 10 transgender Oregonians has accurate identity documents. This bill gives transgender Oregonians a more streamlined, affordable and private option as they seek to ensure that their legal identity matches who they truly are.
HB 2673 creates an administrative option at the Oregon Health Authority for transgender Oregonians to update their name and gender on their Oregon birth certificate without the involvement of the courts. The bill also updates an outdated public posting requirement in the court process that risks publically outing individuals and sharing private medical and personal information.
“Having personal identity documents that accurately reflect your name and gender is something most of us never think about,” says Rep. Rob Nosse (D-Portland). “If you are transgender, it can be the difference between getting a job, securing housing and accessing medical care. It can stop, or at least limit, the discrimination you face every day for being yourself. We know that due to a lack of societal acceptance and outright discrimination, many transgender Oregonians continue to experience severe economic hardship and instability.”
According to the 2015 US Trans Survey, more than 45% of transgender people reported verbal harassment, nearly 10% were physically attacked, and nearly one-third (29%) of transgender respondents were living in poverty.
“For transgender individuals across the United States, discrimination is unfortunately alive and well,” says House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson (D-SW & NW Portland). “In recent years, state laws throughout the United States have codified discrimination and just last month, protections for transgender school youth were revoked at the federal level. This bill is something we can do to protect people here in Oregon.”
HB 2673 passed 37-23 and will now go to the Senate
