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Letter: Law on changing one’s gender is vague; Sen. Weiler’s bill would change that

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, holds a spirited debate on SB119, prescription database revisions, before it passed a Senate second-reading on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The bill requires law enforcement to obtain a search warrant to search prescription databases.

Currently, if you want to change your gender on your birth certificate or driver license, you could be denied just because you were assigned the wrong judge. I think that’s wrong, and so does Sen. Todd Weiler.

The law on changing your gender through the courts is vague, and it allows judges to decide on your case based on what they think is right. Some judges think gender shouldn’t be changed unless it was accidentally filed wrong. Some feel like you should be able to change your gender as you change your name.

Senate Bill 138, by Weiler, clarifies the law and allows judges to judge the law, instead of making it. This bill would make it so judges can make uniform decisions, and people can know what to expect.

Andrew Kennard, Salt Lake City