Advocacy, Law & Justice

 The Washington State chapter of a civil rights organization.

The ACLU is the nation’s premier civil rights and civil liberties organization. We are the unwavering voice of freedom, fairness and equality for all people in America. We work in the courts, the legislatures, and in our communities to protect and extend basic rights for everyone. 

901 5th Ave #630, Seattle, WA 98164

Call: (206) 624-2184

Link: https://www.aclu-wa.org/

The following is a list of legal authorities intended to assist with the process of changing the sex on a birth certificate. The information has been compiled from various sources, including standard legal materials and anecdotal accounts of practices in various states.

Link: https://www.lambdalegal.org/know-your-rights/article/trans-changing-birth-certificate-sex-designations 

As of summer 2021, applicants may self-select an M or F gender marker for their passport. In the same policy announcement, the State Department stated that an X gender marker would also be available for selection in the near future.

Link: https://transequality.org/know-your-rights/passports 

A grassroots organization supporting gender and sexual civil rights in Washington state.

We work for a state where transgender and gender diverse people come together to create healthy, safer and engaging ways of life, free from discrimination at the institutional, systemic/structural, and social levels of our society.

Link: https://www.genderjusticeleague.org/

GLAD doesn’t shrink from tough issues. And we don’t compromise on our belief that every person deserves full equality under the law – without exception.

Contact us for free and confidential legal information, assistance, and referrals.

Link: https://www.glad.org/ 

A Guide for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students

You have the right to be safe and to be yourself at school. That is why the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and GLSEN have put together this guide to inform you of your rights.

 Link: https://www.aclu.org/files/assets/transstudent_kyr_20120508.pdf 

A non-profit organization with great web resources regarding state by state queer and gender rights. They also have a legal help desk you can email or call to discuss your concern.

Lambda Legal, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

Link: https://www.lambdalegal.org/

Call: (510) 587-9696

Helpdesk Link: https://www.lambdalegal.org/helpdesk

A national transgender federal policy organization that has excellent web resources under the Know Your Rights tab, see website for full list:

Know Your Rights – A Guide for Trans and Gender Nonconforming Students

Name Change and Pronouns at School

Changing Birth Certificates State-by-State Guide

Changing Your Gender on Your Passport

Link: https://transequality.org

Call: 1+ (202) 642-4542

email: ncte@transequality.org

The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence. SRLP is a collective organization founded on the understanding that gender self-determination is inextricably intertwined with racial, social and economic justice. Therefore, we seek to increase the political voice and visibility of low-income people and people of color who are transgender, intersex, or gender non-conforming. SRLP works to improve access to respectful and affirming social, health, and legal services for our communities. We believe that in order to create meaningful political participation and leadership, we must have access to basic means of survival and safety from violence.

Link: http://www.srlp.org/ 

A national trans led organization for advocating self-determination for all people also has a version of a legal help desk Based in California.

Link: https://transgenderlawcenter.org

Click to call: 1+ (510) 587-9696

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test-case litigation, direct legal services, and public policy efforts.

Link: https://transgenderlegal.org/

Click to call: 1+ (646) 862-9396

Email: info@transgenderlegal.org

Freedom from discrimination—Declaration of civil rights.

(1) The right to be free from discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability is recognized as and declared to be a civil right. 

Link: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=49.60.030