You may have read about the recent case where the state granted three transgender individuals new birth certificates reflecting their correct genders. The Chicago Tribune spoke with ACLU of Illinois Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Project Director John Knight about the recent class action suit stayed by a Cook County Circuit Court judge that would allow all transgender individuals the ability to change the gender marker on their birth certificates without having genital surgery:
"We're not happy about the stay," said John Knight, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Project at the ACLU of Illinois. "We think it's really just more delay, but the judge has allowed the state to have that time."
Knight said that even if the new regulations are approved, the ACLU will continue to ask for a stronger "enforceable agreement with the state" that will guarantee transgender Illinoisans cannot be denied a birth certificate gender change because they have had not had genital surgery.