Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Rep. Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) argued recently that the House was too quick in passing a measure that would allow Illinois residents to change the sex designation on their birth certificates at will.
“Softening the standard for changing one’s birth certificate sex designation is a very controversial concept,” Morrison said in a statement. “Gender identity theory is very recent and far from universally agreed upon by medical and mental health professionals. I do not believe legislators have a clear understanding of the far-reaching negative consequences that are likely to result from this bill.”
House Bill 1785 would remove the requirement that a person must provide documentation of gender reassignment surgery before being allowed to make such a change on a birth certificate.
“I believe the bill is not well thought out,” he said. “If signed into law it would have significant unintended consequences -- for the individuals (including children) who are seeking the change and society as a whole.”
Morrison explained his argument by breaking down what he said is the purpose of birth certificates.
“[They] are historical documents that certify an objective fact about humans that was identified at their births and never changes," he said in his statement. "Neither birth certificates nor doctors designate or assign ‘gender markers.’ They identify sexes.”
The Senate also passed the measure before the close of the spring legislative session.
Alerts Sign-up