Trans Youth Handbook

This Handbook was created to help you learn about your legal rights in different areas of your life.

The information in this Handbook should not be considered legal advice. This Handbook provides legal information but does not attempt to apply that information to any specific situation. This guide was up-to-date as of its release in June 2020. However, because laws affecting trans people are constantly changing, the information contained in this Handbook may not reflect the current legal situation where you live.

You can click on the links below to access the different sections online. You can also access the entire handbook by clicking here

You can also review Resources and Definitions, which lists additional helpful resources and definitions for the terms used in this Handbook.

If you have a question about your specific legal situation, you should contact NCLR’s legal helpline by phone at (415) 392-6257 or (800) 528-6257. You can also contact the helpline by e-mail at info@nclrights.org.

Section One: Identity Documents - provides information about changing your identity documents.

• Changing Your Name, Changing Your Gender Marker
• Getting a Court Order
• Name and Gender Changes for Minors
• Driver’s Licenses/State IDs
• Birth Certificates
• Passports; Social Security Cards
• Selective Service; Non-binary Gender Markers; Privacy

​​​​​​Section Two: School - Explains the rights you have at school.

• Title IX and local laws; Bullying/Harassment 
• Coming Out/Privacy; Names and Pronouns; Restrooms and Locker Rooms
• Sports; Genders and Sexualities Alliances (GSAs)
• Disability Status/IEPs; College

Section Three: Health Care - addresses getting access to transition-related health care.

• Medical Standards for Transition Related Care; Conversion Therapy; Parental Consent
• Health Care Coverage; Harassment and Mistreatment in Medical Settings

Section Four: Non-Affirming Care Environments - explains how your legal rights are affected if one or more of your parent(s) or guardian(s) does not affirm your gender identity or if you do not live with your parent(s) or guardian(s).

• Conflict Between Your Parent(s) or Guardian(s)
• Drop-in Centers/Temporary Shelters; Foster Care; Finding Help for Shelter/Housing and Abuse
• Juvenile Detention/Hall; Emancipation

Section Five: Jobs - explains the rights you have at work.

• Overview; Bullying/Harassment; Privacy
• Names and Pronouns; Restrooms and Locker Rooms; Dress Codes; Filing a Complaint; Military Service