Sex matters. In our society, it is a distinction with a difference one that affects our use of bathrooms, locker rooms, health care facilities, shelters, dormitories, sports teams, dress codes, prisons, marriage, and identification documents. Should transgender rights advocates focus their short and long-term efforts at diminishing the number of contexts in which sex is a relevant consideration? If so, what are those contexts? What factors should drive the decision to challenge the legal relevance of sex? What legal arguments should — and shouldn’t — we advance or avoid?

For many, showing a drivers license is a common, everyday matter. However, for many transgender people, having the wrong sex designation on an identification card can expose them to discrimination, harassment and harm. At the same time, it is becoming harder for transgender people to accurately amend their sex designations on drivers licenses, birth certificates, etc. due to unreasonable state regulations and policies. Learn more about what each of us can do to help change these policies.

While transgender clients may face unique legal concerns, in many ways, transgender clients are no different from other clients who walk in your door. They have the same need for resolution, respect, and effective representation. For those lawyers who are interested in working with transgender clients, anxiety about doing or saying the wrong thing may prevent you from expanding your legal practice or being a sensitive and effective advocate. This panel is designed to provide some tips on working with transgender clients, and to identify the resources that are available to lawyers who may be tackling for the first time issues facing transgender clients.