Hundreds Have Gender Changed On NYC Birth Certificates

NEW YORK, NY — More than 700 people have changed the gender originally recorded on their birth certificate since the Health Department and City Council eased requirements for the process in January 2015, according to statistics released Thursday by the New York Health Department.

About 20 gender marker changes per year had been reported by the health department prior to the 2015 changes, which dropped requirements that applicants show evidence they had undergone convertive surgery and were granted a court-approved name change.

Since those requirements were dropped, a total of 731 changes have been approved, the department said.

“These encouraging statistics demonstrate unequivocally that changes in public policy can make a lasting difference on the road to achieving equal treatment and protection for transgender people across the five boroughs,” Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams said in a press release.

Current requirements allow for the gender marker change based on an affidavit written by a medical or mental health provider.

According to the new statistics, 45 percent of the applicants changed their gender from female to male and 55 percent changed from male to female. The applicants’ ages ranged from five to 76. The 41 applicants who were the under age of 18 required the consent of their parents.

Last year, in an effort promote the health of all transgender New Yorkers, the Health Department issued the first “intersex” birth certificate and began funding to strengthen transgender-focused community organizations.

“Access to transgender competent and affordable healthcare including hormones and surgery is both illness prevention and health promotion for transgender individuals,” said Dr. Barbara Warren, Director of LGBT Programs and Policies in Mount Sinai Health System’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion.

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