Transgender advocates decry Kansas proposal on birth records

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Transgender rights advocates have called on Kansas' health department to abandon a proposal to make it far more difficult for people to change the gender on their birth certificates.

Topeka resident Stephanie Mott said during a Department of Health and Environment hearing Thursday that regulatory changes under consideration will lead more transgender youth to attempt suicide. She sued the department earlier this year because it hasn't allowed her to change her birth certificate to show she is a woman.

The changes would repeal a regulation allowing someone to change the gender listed on a birth certificate by submitting medical records.

Department spokeswoman Cassie Sparks said the regulation conflicts with a 2002 state Supreme Court decision, making it contrary to state law.

The changes could take effect within six weeks.

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The Gayly - 5/12/2016 @ 11:03 a.m. CDT