Whitman-Walker to hold free transgender legal clinics

Whitman Walker will launch a series of free transgender health clinics next month. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Whitman-Walker Health announced on Thursday that it will begin holding free legal clinics for its transgender clients next month.

In partnership with Trans Legal Advocates of Washington; the clinic will allow trans people  to meet with lawyers who can assist them with legally changing their name and gender on their drivers’ licenses, passports, birth certificates and other documents. Attorneys will also work with those who want to change their name and gender with the Social Security Administration, the Department of Motor Vehicles and other government agencies.

“It’s a tremendous legal need in the transgender community and we have been helping folks with these kinds of issues for several years now,” Whitman-Walker Director of Legal Services Dan Bruner told the Blade. “The demand has gotten to the point where we need more resources to help people.”

Amy Nelson, an attorney with Whitman-Walker, said 30 people have expressed interest in the first clinic. She added 55 lawyers are scheduled to attend a training at the Washington law firm Hogan Lovells on Wednesday—another session is likely because the first one could not accommodate everyone who signed up.

The three clinics will take place at Whitman-Walker (1701 14th St., NW) on June 12,  July 11 and Sept. 12. at 6:30 p.m. No appointments are necessary, but clients are encouraged to RSVP at either (202) 939-7627 or lbrubaker@whitman-walker.org.