Tennessee Lawmakers Tackle Transgender and Gay Issues
Tennessee State Senator Steve Cohen of Memphis has reportedly introduced a bill to allow a person who has undergone an SRS operation to change his or her birth certificate.
Senate Bill 37 indicates Tennessee is one of only three states that refuses to allow Transgendered persons the opportunity to correct their birth certificate.
Tennessee, Ohio, and Idaho are apparently the only states that don't permit a birth certificate change after reassignment surgery.
As far as the wording goes (as I have it), the measure proposes to amend Tennessee Code to state: "Upon receipt of a sworn statement by a licensed physician indicating that the gender
of an individual born in Tennessee has been changed by surgical procedure, the certificate of birth of the individual shall be amended to reflect the change."
According to Cohen, its important for Homeland Security issues, with people who need to provide birth certificates.
Obviously, the measure has taken flak from various religious groups and organizations. But I give Cohen a BIG "thumbs up!"
Unfortunately, I don't know the current status of this bill, as the last thing I heard it was in a committee.
Of course, with the good news, also comes the bad, as some lawmkers in The Volunteer State are taking efforts to create a constitutional amendment banning Gay marriage.
The Senate Judiciary Committee in Nashville reportedly approved the measure, moving it to the full Tennessee Senate. Republicans are said to be trying to prevent courts from allowing Gay marriages in other states from being recognized in Tennessee.