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5PM: What court ruling on amending birth certificates means for transgender Utahns
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SALT LAKE CITY A Utah Supreme Court decision Thursday in Salt Lake City makes clear that transgender people may amend birth certificates, driver s licenses and other state records to match the sex with which they identify.
The 4-1 ruling comes after more than three years in court and failed attempts by the Utah Legislature to both clarify a longstanding law regarding name and gender changes and to block transgender Utahns from amending their birth certificates. A person has a common-law right to change facets of their personal legal status, including their sex designation, Justice Deno Himonas wrote in the majority opinion. Justices John Pearce and Paige Petersen concurred. Chief Justice Matthew Durrant wrote a separate opinion that concurred in part and dissented in part with the majority. Justice Tom Lee was the lone dissenter.
Utah Supreme Court rules on transgender rights and birth certificates
and last updated 2021-05-06 19:47:18-04
SALT LAKE CITY â After more than three years of waiting, Utah s top court has ruled on an issue involving gender identity and birth certificates in a case with significant impact on transgender rights in the state.
In a 4-1 ruling, the Utah Supreme Court ordered judges to grant what are commonly known as gender marker changes. The adjudication of sex-change petitions lies squarely within the power granted to Utah courts by the Utah Constitution. Our district courts have the authority to adjudicate such petitions without any constitutional impediment, Justice Deno Himonas wrote.
Deseret News
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Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
A Utah Supreme Court decision Thursday in Salt Lake City makes clear that transgender people may amend birth certificates, driver’s licenses and other state records to match the sex with which they identify.
The 4-1 ruling comes after more than three years in court and failed attempts by the Utah Legislature to both clarify a long-standing law regarding name and gender changes and to block transgender Utahns from amending their birth certificates.
“A person has a common-law right to change facets of their personal legal status, including their sex designation,” Justice Deno Himonas wrote in the majority opinion. Justices John Pearce and Paige Petersen concurred. Chief Justice Matthew Durrant wrote a separate opinion that concurred in part and dissented in part with the majority. Justice Tom Lee was the lone dissenter.
Deseret News
Utah Supreme Court deliberating who decides the future of Salt Lake City land use
Outcome of Utah Inland Port Authority lawsuit won’t just decide fate of port, but set statewide precedent for city powers
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The area at I-80 near 7200 West where the Utah Inland Port is planned to be built in Salt Lake City is pictured on Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. The Utah Supreme Court decision in the lawsuit between Salt Lake City and the Utah Inland Port Authority will set a major precedent for what powers cities across the state do or don’t have regarding land use or taxing authority.