NY library holds transgender name change clinic

An upstate New York library hosted a transgender name change event this week to guide people through the process of changing their legal names.

Attorneys from the Empire Justice Center and Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) organized the clinic May 19 at the Karen B. Johnson Library in Schenectady, New York.

“There is a lot of fear that’s being perpetuated right now where people think that they can’t change their names and that’s just not true,” Lettie Dickerson, senior attorney at the Empire Justice Center, told the Daily Gazette.

The clinic was open to New Yorkers regardless of where they lived.

Three people responded to the six-hour Facebook event saying they would attend.

Many local commenters on social media ridiculed the offering.

One Facebook user wrote, “Seems like a waste of resources, all this because of mental health issues.”

Someone else posted, “Why are they not hosting a mental health and well being clinic? Society just cant get the fact that we have such a HUGE mental health crisis right in front of its face!”

“How about a mental health clinic instead,” another wrote. “This nonsense of non binary and trans is out of control. Men have a penis and Women have vaginas plain and simple. Science doesn’t lie. It’s facts.”

A woman added, “I do not care what you do in your personal life, but please understand medically you are your sex!! Never ever deny that to medical professionals. Use your gender born bathroom only out of respect for our young. Just simple rules to respect you!! Respect goes both ways!!”

Schenectady has nearly 70,000 people and is 20 miles northwest of Albany, the state’s capital.

People must be 18 years and older to access these name change clinics hosted by the Empire Justice Center. The liberal organization holds year-round events across New York to help people change their names and so-called gender identities on government documents.