March 31 is

DAY OF

TRANSGENDER

VISIBILITY

Pride Month
LGBTQ+ Month
Fairness Act

Each year, on International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV), LQBTQ+ communities and advocates around the world recognize the accomplishments and victories of transgender & gender non-conforming people while raising awareness of the work that is still needed to save trans lives.

Last year, in honor of TDOV 2022, members of the Pennsylvania Senate and House announced a new package of bills that seek to improve the name change process in Pennsylvania for LGBTQ+ communities and remove legal barriers that make it difficult for individuals to legally identify as their authentic selves.

And this year, Senators and House Democrats re-introduced the package of legislation. Click the images below to learn more. 

The Name Change Legislative Package includes the following bills sponsored by Senators Amanda Cappelletti, Tim Kearney, Katie Muth and Lindsey Williams:

    Administrative Name Change Reform

    Legislation would replace the antiquated judicial name change process in Pennsylvania with a simpler, more streamlined, and largely administrative process. The current process for legally changing one’s name is expensive, time-consuming, and fraught with danger for members of Pennsylvania’s transgender community.

    Removing Publication Requirements for Name Changes

    Legislation would make the legal name change process more affordable and create privacy protections by removing the Title 54 requirements for publication and mandating the sealing of court records from the outset of the proceedings.

    Transgender Name Change Assistance Grants

    Legislation would allocate money from the general fund to establish a grant program, housed in DCED, for organizations, county governments, and municipal governments that assist transgender individuals in navigating the process of changing their names.

    Removal of Sex from Birth Certificates

    Legislation would protect individual privacy and prevent discrimination by removing sex designations on PA birth certificates.

    Navigating Pennsylvania’s Current Name Change Process

    Legislation would require the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to provide:

    • Accurate, publicly available information detailing the name change process and the steps required in a widely available, accessible format.
    • A dedicated and safe point of contact to help trans individuals navigate the name change process and connect with resources in their area.
    • Training so that all staff, judges, and administrators involved in the name change process are knowledgeable, competent, and affirming.