Transgender Death Certificates: Deceased Will Have Their Gender Identity Recognized
Over the last couple of years, the United States has become more accepting of the LGBT lifestyle. Considered something most people knew about but never spoke of in as little as a decade ago, it is now considered to be a lifestyle that is just as normal as a man with a woman.
However, there is one part of the LGBT movement that is hardly talked about – transgender individuals. Here on The Inquisitr, we’ve reported as much as we can on transgender news. This includes a 13-year-old and supermodel Andreja Pejic, in which both have identified themselves as transgender. Not to mention the support they receive, such as a school adapting to the needs of a 6-year-old transgender and President Barack Obama passing a petition to protect transgenders from company bias in the workplace.
Now another business may be supporting the special needs of transgenders thanks to a new law, though it is a business that everyone will only attain once in their lifetime.
According to an article by Yahoo News, the state of California will be incorporating changes to reflect the gender identity of people at the time of their death instead of their gender at birth. This came into effect under a bill passed by lawmakers Wednesday but still needs final approval before it is sent to Democratic Governor Jerry Brown to be concrete.
Toni Atkins, an Assembly Speaker for California, had this statement to say about the changes applied to death certificates.
“Once we are deceased, we are often at the mercy of others to treat us with dignity. The very least we can do is ensure individuals are given basic human dignity by honoring their authentic selves when they pass so that more pain is not inflicted upon grieving loved ones or the community.”
Charisma News also reported on the changes to death certificates in which this is just one of many several measures California has taken to ensure the furthering of family rights to LGBT Californians. This also comes along with a measure allowing same-sex couples to be listed as mother, father, or parent on a child’s birth certificate. Last year, other transgender protection laws were passed which included participation in school athletics and the use of restrooms in accordance to chosen gender.
It should be reported that someone can’t simply just choose whatever gender they want to be upon death. There has to be respectable evidence that the deceased person changed their gender identity. This includes health records showing treatment of gender transition, court approval for name change, and advanced health care directive or other documents.
What do you think about California allowing transgenders to identity their gender upon passing on death certificates? Is this truly allowing a basic human dignity to the group or this taking the transgender acceptance too far? Please let us know in the comments below.
[Image via Bing]
