Native Illinoisans would have an easier time changing the gender on their birth certificates, under legislation approved today in the Illinois House. Under current law, only people who’ve had gender reassignment surgery can ask to change their birth certificates.
The legislation would open that up to anyone undergoing any kind of medical treatment for gender transition, with or without surgery. State Representative Greg Harris, a Democrat from Chicago, says there’s still a high bar.
“This is a process that takes many years and costs many thousands of dollars. It requires a lot of consultation, a lot of therapy, to be sure that folks are making the correct decision."
Several Republicans disagreed, saying the legislation would make it too easy to change one’s legal gender. The measure passed narrowly… on a vote of 63 to 43. It now goes to the Illinois Senate.
