“Olin Winn-Ritzenberg is a transgendered man who believes that Olin, his father’s middle name, better reflects his masculine identity than the female name he was given at birth. But when he filed a petition for a legal name change in New York City Civil Court, he was told he needed medical certification that a name change was necessary. Name change petitions are generally pro forma, and Winn-Ritzenberg is unhappy that, because of his identity as a transgendered man, the court is imposing a demeaning requirement on him. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund says that it runs across this sort of problem often in its Name Change Project, which offers free advice to trans folks looking to get their identity records in proper order.” [GCN]
Doctor’s Note Required to Skip School, Change FTM’s Name
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Andrew Triska
How ridiculous! Even if he weren’t transgendered, he should be able to change his name to whatever he feels like. It’s not the court’s place to decide what is a male or female name, or who should have what name.
If he weren’t trans (i.e. if he were simply a woman who wanted to be named Bob or a man who wanted to be called Betty) they wouldn’t be giving him this crap.
mb00
@Andrew Triska: Seriously ha.
There are celebs that get to name their fucking kids the most atrocious names, a but a grown up who wants to change their name has to be given shit for it? That’s so stupid. They should make it harder for celebs to name their kids and easier for grown people to change it if the so choose to.
Brian Miller
How big and overbearing government has become in this country.
You now need government permission and a “doctor’s note” to change your own name. Amazing.