Kaiser Health News reporter Andrea Halland informs us Montanans seeking to change the gender on their birth certificates will soon need a court order confirming they have had gender reassignment surgery, whereas now they only need to swear that they have undergone a gender transition meaning it will be much more difficult for transgender people to obtain that identity affirming document. The state health department is holding a public hearing today on the rule change to implement the recently passed law. According to state health officials an average of 55 Montana residents a year seek to change their birth certificates.
Shawn Reagor with the Montana Human Rights Network says because June is LGBTQ Pride month, it’s important to let trans, non-binary and two spirit Montanans know they belong here and also improve understanding for people outside of these communities.
