Transgender Plaintiffs Are Suing Kansas For Discriminatory Birth Certificate Laws

Four trans people are suing Kansas for having discriminatory birth certificate laws, reports the Kansas City Star.

The state currently allows changes to drivers licenses and state ID cards but will not change birth certificates. The four plaintiffs argue this infringes on their rights. Luc Bensimon, Nyla Foster, Jessica Hicklin, and a fourth client identified by his initials, C.K. are represented by Lambda Legal.

“By not allowing transgender people like me to correct our birth certificates, the state complicates every aspect of our lives,” Bensimon said.

“Having to present a birth certificate that incorrectly identifies me as female makes it easier for people to discriminate against me based on my gender identity.”

“Let me be clear. A transgender woman is a woman. A transgender man is a man — period,” said a senior attorney for Lambda Legal, Omar Gonzalez-Pagan.

“By denying me a truthful and correct birth certificate, Kansas is forcing me to lie,” said Foster.

“It is forcing me to carry inconsistent documentation that exposes me to intimidation, prejudice, rejection, humiliation and ultimately violence.”