Kansas AG Pushes for Birth Certificate Change Ban in Anti-Trans Measure

The Associated Press reports that transgender individuals in Kansas might soon face a ban on modifying their birth certificates and other identity documents to match their gender identity.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has implored a federal judge to enforce an impending anti-trans law slated to become effective next week, a move that could overturn a previous court ruling.

Back in 2019, a U.S. District Judge required the state to allow transgender individuals to alter their Social Security cards, driver's licenses, and other documents. This ruling came in response to a lawsuit lodged against three health department officials.

Before the lawsuit, transgender individuals argued they weren't permitted to make these changes, even after a legal transition.

"I thought this was already dealt with but I have the energy to go back and deal with it again if we have to," transgender activist Luc Bensimon told the AP.

Kansas enacted a broad bill in April that would bar transgender people from using the restroom that corresponds to their gender identity, among other stipulations. Despite this, the new law contains few specifics about the state's enforcement strategies.

The efforts of Kobach may be thwarted by a 2020 Supreme Court ruling that bans workplace discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, more than 120 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced throughout the U.S. this year. At least 20 states have put bans or restrictions on transition care for minors into effect, although measures in five states have been blocked, as reported by PBS.