I have heard transgender people who were born in Virginia mentioning that they can’t change their gender on their birth certificate but it can be changed for social security and DMV. Although I currently live in Virginia I’m a New Yorker and they are very accepting of the transgender community and will change the gender on a birth certificate with no problems. I think it absurd that a gender can be changed on every document except the birth certificate. Without the change on the birth certificate the gender change isn’t complete and can have the person feeling depressed and upset. Many people aren’t able to afford the surgeries for their true gender and that shouldn’t be a stipulation for having their birth certificate changed. I’m supportive of finally born Virginians have the opportunity to change the birth certificate to the desired gender that the individual believes they are, not what politicians say they are. Many people are transgender and transgender folks have been around as long as gay men have. Consider the impact this will have on a person who feels that the gender they were born into doesn’t equate with how they feel inside as a person and societal standards tells them different. This would be important for them and make them feel whole and complete. Thank you for this opportunity to have my voice heard.