Legal Issues/Legal Rulings
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Westchester County Judge Agrees to Waive Publication of Trans Name Change
Nov 15, 2009
NewYorkLawSchool.TypePad.com - Leonard Link
Finding that transsexuals are at risk of being victimized by hate crimes, New York Supreme Court Justice William J. Giacomo (Supreme Court, Westchester County) has granted a request by a transsexual man that the usual requirement that a name-change notice be published in a local newspaper be waived in his case, and that the court files on the proceeding be sealed. The November 10 ruling, consistent with the court’s findings, identifies the name-change applicant only by his initials, E.P.L.. In the Matter of the Application of E.P.L.... [more]
Court rules insurance must pay for ex-soldier's breast surgery
Oct 22, 2009
TheLocal.de
A transsexual has won a lawsuit against her German health insurance, which will now have to pay for the former British soldier's re-constructive breast surgery, news magazine Der Spiegel reported late on Wednesday.
Sarah Jane Smith, 51, has been living as a woman since she began the sex change process three years ago in Hannover. But the hormones prescribed by her doctor made her breasts grow from the side of her chest, the magazine reported.
Ruling Eases Name Changes For Transgender
Oct 22, 2009
Gothamist.com - By Jaya Saxena
The State Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a transgender person seeking a name change does not have to provide proof of any medical procedure justifying the change, striking down an earlier ruling. The Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, a nonprofit advocacy organization, had brought the case to New York Civil Court in February on behalf of Olin Yuri Winn-Ritzenberg, a transgender man who wanted to change his first name from Leah.
NYC transgender man wins right to name change
Oct 21, 2009
SILive.com - By Associated Press
New York -- A court in New York City has reversed a lower court's decision rejecting a transgender man's application to change his name because he didn't provide medical documentation.
The Appellate Division of state Supreme Court in Manhattan made the ruling on Wednesday.
The transgender man sought to change his name from Leah Uri Winn-Ritzenberg to Olin Yuri Winn-Ritzenberg.
Kings County Supreme Court rules transsexual father has standing to petition for custody of child (Oct 20, 2009)
Examiner.com - Daniel Weaver - Albany CPS and Family Court Examiner
In a complex decision released yesterday, the Supreme Court of Kings County ruled that a transsexual father has standing to petition for custody of a non-biological child.
J.R. agreed to marry K.B. eve... [more]
Transsexual in court appeal for breast enlargement (Oct 8, 2009)
Telegraph.co.uk
A transsexual refused breast enlargement surgery on the NHS is to take her case to the High Court, at a cost of tens of thousands of pounds to the hospital's budget.
The legally aided gender dysphoria sufferer, who has been living as a woman for over 10... [more]
Gender reassignment - Prisoners' rights - Right to respect for private and family life (Sep 30, 2009)
LawGazette.co.uk - Phillippa Kaufmann
R (on the application of AB) v (1) Secretary of State for Justice (2) Governor of Manchester Prison: QBD (Admin) (David Elvin QC): 4 September 2009
The claimant (B), a pre-operative transgender prisoner, applied for judicial review ... [more]
Swedish court allows men to add female name to their own (Sep 29, 2009)
EarthTimes.org - By : dpa
Stockholm - A Swedish man Tuesday won a key court ruling to add a female name to his own, ending a legal discussion that began in 2008. The Supreme Administrative Court ruled that Jan-Olov - a 46-year- old transvestite from northern Sweden - had the right to ... [more]
British Judge Orders Prison Transfer for Transsexual Inmate (Sep 15, 2009)
NewYorkLawSchool.TypePad.com - Leonard Link
In a case of first impression, Deputy High Court Judge David Elvin of the High Court of Justice in London ruled on September 4 that prison officials must transfer a transsexual inmate from a men's prison to a women's prison so that she can q... [more]
Transgender rape charge deemed legit (Sep 11, 2009)
JoongAngDaily.Joins.com - Yonhap
The Supreme Court yesterday reaffirmed a lower court's suspended jail sentence for a man found guilty of raping a transgender woman.
The Supreme Court maintained a three-year suspended jail term for the 29-year-old man, indicted on char... [more]
WA One Step Forward, Two Steps Back (Sep 7, 2009)
StarObserver.com.au - Author: Andie Noonan
Two Western Australian (female-to-male) trans men have vowed to fight a state Government appeal against a recent State Administrative Tribunal decision to allow legal gender recognition without surgery.
The office of WA Attorne... [more]
Transsexual Wins Prison Transfer Case (Sep 4, 2009)
News.Sky.com
The High Court has ruled the refusal to move a transsexual inmate to a women's prison is a violation of her human rights.
The prisoner, who cannot be identified, is serving life for manslaughter and attempted rape committed when she was a man.
... [more]
Transsexuals recognised as men (Aug 17, 2009)
ABC.net.au - By James McHale
Two West Australian woman who have changed their gender have won the right to be legally considered men, despite still having female reproductive organs.
The transsexual men were previously denied legal recognition of their sex change and ap... [more]
Gay-Straight Alliance allowed to meet at Yulee High (Aug 10, 2009)
Jacksonville.com - By Mary Kelli Palka
Two Yulee High School students were "grateful" Monday when they learned that a federal judge ruled that the Gay-Straight Alliance can meet on campus and have the same privileges as other student groups.
U.S. District Judge Henry Le... [more]
Idaho settles lawsuits from transgender inmates (Aug 6, 2009)
KPAX.com - Associated Press
Boise, Idaho (AP) - The Idaho Department of Correction has reached settlements in lawsuits with two transgender inmates who castrated themselves after they were denied feminizing hormone therapy.
The department has also changed its policy for... [more]
Transgender Model Loses Libel Case Against NY Post (Jul 7, 2009)
CourthouseNews.com - By Jeff Gorman
(CN) - The New York Post did not commit libel when it reported on the alleged sexual fantasies of a transgendered model who was suing a billionaire for sexual exploitation, a New York appellate division ruled.
Ava Cordero sued money m... [more]
No cause for panic (Jul 3, 2009)
Law.com - D'Arcy Kemnitz
Angie Zapata's killer claims that he simply "snapped" when he learned the woman he had begun to date was transgender. Thirty-six hours after the revelation, Zapata was dead, the victim of a brutal blunt-force beating with a fire extinguisher. She was 18 years ... [more]
Sex change and sex reassignment - Katrina Legarda (Jun 2, 2009)
ABS-CBNNews.com - Kat's Eye - Katrina Legarda
In the space of one year, the Supreme Court promulgated two decisions on similar issues: whether a man can become a woman. In one case, the man lost; in another, the man is now a woman. Both cases were brought to the Supreme Court when the... [more]
Panel backs transgender woman in restroom case (May 20, 2009)
BangorDailyNews.com - By Abigail Curtis - BDN Staff
Augusta, Maine - The Maine Human Rights Commission decided Monday that a transgender woman was discriminated against at a Denny’s restaurant in Auburn when management would not let her use the ladies room until she had sex reassign... [more]
Will trans woman's victory bring change to government hiring? (May 19, 2009)
EdgeBoston.com - by Scott Stiffler - EDGE Contributor
Military veteran Diane Schroer’s recent legal victory highlights the challenges faced by the transgendered, both during and after serving their country with honor.
Schroer, who was denied employment from the Librar... [more]
