Grants LGBTQ+ Community Organizations
February 28, 2025 12:02 PM to All Senate Members
Circulated By
Senator Timothy Kearney
D Senate District 26
Along With
Sen. Amanda Cappelletti
D Senate District 17
Sen. Lindsey Williams
D Senate District 38
Sen. Katie Muth
D Senate District 44
Memo
We are re-introducing a package of legislation aimed at removing barriers transgender individuals, gender non-conforming individuals, and members of the LGBTQ community face when changing their name in the Commonwealth. Since first introducing these bills in 2022, the scapegoating of trans and non-binary people in service of the rapid dismantling of democracy has increased exponentially. Let us be clear. No executive action can change the law or the constitution. And no order or law will erase trans people from existence. Beyond deserving to live, trans kids and adults deserve to thrive. Transgender people have the right to live freely and safely – and that includes having legal documents that reflect their authentic selves. The bills in this package are intended to make that a little easier.
Our offices would like to be a resource for trans people and their families. If you or anyone you know is looking for help changing your name or needing other forms of support, please contact one of our offices. We would be honored to serve you, regardless of where you live in Pennsylvania.
It is our intention to introduce legislation that would help transgender individuals address their unique challenges when going through the process of changing their names by establishing a grant program for organizations that provide guidance and assistance to these individuals navigating this process.
Transgender individuals are faced with discrimination and harassment that is exasperated by the additional burdens of obtaining legal documents that reflect their identities. Beyond the emotional impact on an individual for not being able to legally identify as themselves, transgender individuals will face difficulties traveling, registering for school, and accessing many services that require documentation.
In the 2015 US Transgender Survey, 35% of individuals in Pennsylvania who have not changed their legal name and 27% of those who have not updated the gender on their IDs reported that it was because they could not afford to. In addition, 30% of respondents who have shown an ID with a name or gender that did not match their gender presentation were verbally harassed, denied benefits or services, asked to leave, or assaulted.
Navigating the process of acquiring gender and identity affirming documentation in Pennsylvania often comes at a high cost to individuals. The current process requires an applicant to petition the court and publish notice in two newspapers. This is an unnecessary financial burden for individuals who are simply seeking to identify as who they are.
Our legislation would direct that money be allocated, 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.
Please consider joining us in co-sponsoring this legislation.
Our offices would like to be a resource for trans people and their families. If you or anyone you know is looking for help changing your name or needing other forms of support, please contact one of our offices. We would be honored to serve you, regardless of where you live in Pennsylvania.
It is our intention to introduce legislation that would help transgender individuals address their unique challenges when going through the process of changing their names by establishing a grant program for organizations that provide guidance and assistance to these individuals navigating this process.
Transgender individuals are faced with discrimination and harassment that is exasperated by the additional burdens of obtaining legal documents that reflect their identities. Beyond the emotional impact on an individual for not being able to legally identify as themselves, transgender individuals will face difficulties traveling, registering for school, and accessing many services that require documentation.
In the 2015 US Transgender Survey, 35% of individuals in Pennsylvania who have not changed their legal name and 27% of those who have not updated the gender on their IDs reported that it was because they could not afford to. In addition, 30% of respondents who have shown an ID with a name or gender that did not match their gender presentation were verbally harassed, denied benefits or services, asked to leave, or assaulted.
Navigating the process of acquiring gender and identity affirming documentation in Pennsylvania often comes at a high cost to individuals. The current process requires an applicant to petition the court and publish notice in two newspapers. This is an unnecessary financial burden for individuals who are simply seeking to identify as who they are.
Our legislation would direct that money be allocated, 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.
Please consider joining us in co-sponsoring this legislation.
Legislation
Document
This document has not been submitted for introduction yet.
Last updated on February 28, 2025 12:03 PM
Grants LGBTQ+ Community Organizations
February 28, 2025 12:02 PM to All Senate Members
Circulated By
KEARNEY and CAPPELLETTI, WILLIAMS, MUTH
Memo
We are re-introducing a package of legislation aimed at removing barriers transgender individuals, gender non-conforming individuals, and members of the LGBTQ community face when changing their name in the Commonwealth. Since first introducing these bills in 2022, the scapegoating of trans and non-binary people in service of the rapid dismantling of democracy has increased exponentially. Let us be clear. No executive action can change the law or the constitution. And no order or law will erase trans people from existence. Beyond deserving to live, trans kids and adults deserve to thrive. Transgender people have the right to live freely and safely – and that includes having legal documents that reflect their authentic selves. The bills in this package are intended to make that a little easier.
Our offices would like to be a resource for trans people and their families. If you or anyone you know is looking for help changing your name or needing other forms of support, please contact one of our offices. We would be honored to serve you, regardless of where you live in Pennsylvania.
It is our intention to introduce legislation that would help transgender individuals address their unique challenges when going through the process of changing their names by establishing a grant program for organizations that provide guidance and assistance to these individuals navigating this process.
Transgender individuals are faced with discrimination and harassment that is exasperated by the additional burdens of obtaining legal documents that reflect their identities. Beyond the emotional impact on an individual for not being able to legally identify as themselves, transgender individuals will face difficulties traveling, registering for school, and accessing many services that require documentation.
In the 2015 US Transgender Survey, 35% of individuals in Pennsylvania who have not changed their legal name and 27% of those who have not updated the gender on their IDs reported that it was because they could not afford to. In addition, 30% of respondents who have shown an ID with a name or gender that did not match their gender presentation were verbally harassed, denied benefits or services, asked to leave, or assaulted.
Navigating the process of acquiring gender and identity affirming documentation in Pennsylvania often comes at a high cost to individuals. The current process requires an applicant to petition the court and publish notice in two newspapers. This is an unnecessary financial burden for individuals who are simply seeking to identify as who they are.
Our legislation would direct that money be allocated, 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.
Please consider joining us in co-sponsoring this legislation.
Our offices would like to be a resource for trans people and their families. If you or anyone you know is looking for help changing your name or needing other forms of support, please contact one of our offices. We would be honored to serve you, regardless of where you live in Pennsylvania.
It is our intention to introduce legislation that would help transgender individuals address their unique challenges when going through the process of changing their names by establishing a grant program for organizations that provide guidance and assistance to these individuals navigating this process.
Transgender individuals are faced with discrimination and harassment that is exasperated by the additional burdens of obtaining legal documents that reflect their identities. Beyond the emotional impact on an individual for not being able to legally identify as themselves, transgender individuals will face difficulties traveling, registering for school, and accessing many services that require documentation.
In the 2015 US Transgender Survey, 35% of individuals in Pennsylvania who have not changed their legal name and 27% of those who have not updated the gender on their IDs reported that it was because they could not afford to. In addition, 30% of respondents who have shown an ID with a name or gender that did not match their gender presentation were verbally harassed, denied benefits or services, asked to leave, or assaulted.
Navigating the process of acquiring gender and identity affirming documentation in Pennsylvania often comes at a high cost to individuals. The current process requires an applicant to petition the court and publish notice in two newspapers. This is an unnecessary financial burden for individuals who are simply seeking to identify as who they are.
Our legislation would direct that money be allocated, 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.
Please consider joining us in co-sponsoring this legislation.
Document
This document has not been submitted for introduction yet.
Last Updated
February 28, 2025 12:03 PM
Generated 03/22/2025 06:07 AM