Whitman-Walker Launches Transgender Legal Clinic

Whitman-Walker Health, the nonprofit community health center specializing in HIV/AIDS and LGBT health care, announced today that it will provide a free, ongoing legal clinic for transgender clients beginning in June.

The ''Name and Gender Clinic'' will be held every other month - following initial June and July - and will allow clients of WWH to meet one-on-one with trained attorneys from Trans Legal Advocates of Washington, who will provide counseling and assistance with processes for changing one's name and gender in public records and other official documents, such as driver's licenses, passports and birth certificates.

''Having identity documents, Social Security and other legal records that accurately reflect one's name and gender is so vital for any transgender person to live, work and thrive in our community,'' said Don Blanchon, Whitman-Walker's executive director, in a release announcing the clinc. ''The processes and procedures to make changes to these documents can be burdensome and confusing. As part of our ongoing commitment to care for the transgender community, we are proud to offer this service that will make a difference in people's lives.''

The first three clinics will be held at Whitman-Walker Health's Elizabeth Taylor Center, 1701 14th St. NW, on Tuesday, June 12, Wednesday, July 11, and Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. Clients are served on a walk-in basis and no appointment is necessary, but participants are encouraged to RSVP by calling 202-939-7627 or emailing [email protected].