LGBTQ+ advocates speak out in support of bill to advance trans rights

In a move to advance LGBTQ+ rights, lawmakers held a public hearing today for a bill that would make it easier to change the legal sex and name on birth certificates. 

Non profit advocacy group Equality Guam  joins us in the studio to talk about why the measure is important to them. 

“The trans folks often face the most discrimination in the LGBTQ+ communities so it’s really important that we get these rights protected for them,” said advocate Isabella Olalia. 

Under current Guam law, amending birth certificates to reflect gender identity comes with hurdles, like proof of gender affirming surgery. 

“It’s just another layer of hurdles that folks have not only when seeking employment but also potentially seeking housing and even just travel,” said Roquin Siongco from Equality Guam. 

For LGBTQ+ rights advocates Olalia and Siongco, it’s a high hurdle that needs to be changed. 

It's why the group is speaking out in support of a bill that would make it easier to change the legal sex and name on birth certificates.  

Bill 86, authored by Senators Will Parkinson and Roy Quinata, would strike out the surgical requirement.  

“Already gender affirming care is really hard to access,” said Olalia. 

“It’s also important to remember that having those gender affirming surgeries is a personal choice. You don’t always have to have it to affirm your trans-ness and who you are, how you identify and how you choose to express yourself,” said Siongco. 

The measure would also require the court to seal records of the change and the original birth certificate. 

“It allows them to live like any other person in our society,” said Olalia. 

And without the costly condition of gender transition or fear of discrimination.

“Ti bisnes-mu. What’s going on with my life and how I need to navigate the world to make it a better place for myself or other people to exist when it's really no inconvenience to others. I really just want them to ask themselves why do you want to make it difficult for other people,” said Siongco. 

For more resources, you can check out Equality Guam on Instagram.