The AIDS Law Project has represented clients living with HIV in legal name changes for many years, including transgender people. A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study estimated that 42% of transgender women have HIV. A staggering 62% of Black transgender women are thought to be living with HIV. For these women, and for others who may acquire HIV, being able to change their name and get corresponding identification can make a life-affirming difference. 

In a 2015 survey of transgender Pennsylvanians, fewer than 10% of respondents reported that all of their identity documents had their correct gender and chosen name, and nearly 70% reported having no identity document showing their correct gender and chosen name (2015 U.S. Transgender Survey: Pa. State Report, National Center for Transgender Equality (May 2017)). Without a name change, transgender individuals are forced to rely on identification that reveals their transgender status in innumerable everyday interactions and reduces their opportunities for employment, housing, travel, and medical care.