ACLU to sue after state stops giving birth certificates to sex changers

Lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union announced Tuesday they will be filing a lawsuit against the Illinois Department of Vital Records for denying transgender individuals the right to obtain a new birth certificate after having gender confirmation surgery performed outside of the United States.

Attorneys for the ACLU will be holding a press conference this morning to discuss the lawsuit against the decision by the IDVR at their offices on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. The press conference will be held at 10:30 a.m.

Attorneys said through a press release they are challenging the law on behalf of two women that were born in the United States, but traveled to Thailand to have the surgery performed.

ACLU lawyers said in the press release that, until recently, the state issued new birth certificates to transgender patients who had gender confirmation surgery overseas. The state stopped issuing those certificates recently after allowing it for more than 40 years.

According to the Gender Identity

Research and Education Society, people transitioning permanently usually have gender confirmation treatment that includes hormone therapy and often surgery to bring the sex characteristics of the body more in line with the gender identity. Such surgery is sometimes referred to as gender reassignment surgery.

Officials from the IDVR were not available to comment about the lawsuit or press conference.

ACLU officials said through the press release that a birth certificate is a fundamental document to establishing aq person's identity, and it is critical for people to reflect their accurate and real gender.

Officials said the lawsuit, which will be filed in the Cook County Circuit Court, seeks to compel officials with the IDVR to start issuing new birth certificates for the two plaintiffs with the new gender as well as other trangender individuals seeking a new birth certificate.