LGBTQ Justice Project

Every vote matters, and your voice deserves to be heard. If you are transgender, nonbinary, or gender nonconforming, you may have had problems in the past with someone questioning your identity because of your name, gender marker, or photo on your ID, or you may simply be nervous about whether this might happen. No one should question you about your identity, but this guide should help you if they do. We've compiled some Frequently Asked Questions for transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming voters in Mississippi.

Name Change Guidelines

Check out our complete step-by-step guide to changing your name and gender marker in Mississippi, including generative document forms!

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Legal Resources

• How to Change Your Name in Mississippi: Our complete guide to changing your name or gender marker in Mississippi.
• About HB 1125: Learn more about HB 1125, the bill that restricts gender affirming care for trans youth. 
• MS Lawyer Directory: The Mississippi Bar's Online Directory is a source for obtaining current information on attorneys licensed to practice in the state of Mississippi.
• Legal Terms Dictionary: Translate confusing legal documents using this helpful dictionary.
• About the Courts: Learn more about the judicial system, from the Supreme Court to Municipal Courts
• Free Legal Forms: Access free legal forms through the Mississippi Access to Justice Commission

Social Resources

• PFLAG—Loving Families: Family support and acceptance is critical to the health and wellbeing of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. PFLAG has been at the forefront of this work for over four decades. Learn more about how they have been supporting thousands of families across the country and around the world, and the ways in which they can provide that support to your family.
• Transgender Reading List for Children: Parents looking for age-appropriate reading material for younger children who are transgender, gender expansive, or simply have a lot of questions, might think that their options are limited. Happily, that’s not the case. This list offers books that support different ways to affirm, to learn, and to start important conversations. 
• Transgender Reading List for Adults: Books that help adults to navigate how best to help a child who’s questioning their gender, how to help a friend or family member in transition, how to be a good friend or ally, or how to navigate the many complex legal issues that surround being transgender. 
• Recommended Reading for Coming Out: This reading list is an excellent starting point in your coming-out journey ahead, since many of the titles listed cover the process both for those who are navigating a new lifetime of being out and proud, and their significant others, friends, families, and allies as well. 

One of the goals of the LGBTQ Justice Project is connect attorneys to statewide expertise on LGBTQ issues and best practices in working with LGBTQ clients. One way we’ve worked toward achieving this goal is to offer an LGBTQ Cultural Competency Continuing Legal Education credit for attorneys. 

Learn more and access the 1-hour credit course here. 

Each of these resources provide a distinct perspective and value in the pursuit of telling authentic and impactful stories about queer individuals and communities. From essential data to appropriate language, these resources can act as a guide to accurate and nuanced storytelling.