A teenager, who was born female but who identifies as male, is suing the state of New York to make it legal for minors to change the gender listed on their birth certificates.
The 14-year-old high school student, who goes by M.H.W., was born in Ithaca, New York, and currently resides in Houston, Texas. M.H.W is represented by the national gay and transgender rights organization Lambda Legal.
“My birth certificate incorrectly says I’m female, but that’s not who I am and I need the state to correct that error and respect my identity,” said M.H.W. in a press release.
Lamba Legal senior attorney Omar Gonzalez-Pagan said inaccurate identification “exposes transgender people to discrimination, harassment, and violence.”
In 2018, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation allowing the letter “X” to stand as a gender category for birth certificates.
“I am a boy. It’s frustrating to see New York state deny me the opportunity to correct my birth certificate,” said M.H.W., “which I need for so many important facets of my life.”
M.H.W. cited threats of physical harm as a result of the birth certificate and has “undertaken clinically-appropriate gender affirming care in order to bring his body into alignment with his gender identity,” according to the statement released on Tuesday.
“Having an inaccurate birth certificate can cause the disclosure of my transgender status when I enroll in college classes or when I get my driver’s license and expose me to possible harm,” said M.H.W.
