Louisville clinic makes legal name changes more accessible, simpler

LOUISVILLE — “Everybody deserves to be able to go through life the way that they want to be seen and referred to by their true name,” Louisville Pride Foundation’s executive director, Mike Slaton, said.

For some people in the LGBTQIA+ community, this means going through the legal process of changing their names.

Looking to provide legal services to the Louisville LGBTQIA+ community, attorneys at Dinsmore & Shohl developed a name change clinic, to make the legal process more accessible and less complicated.

Associates Suzanne Marino and Grant Grissom came up with the idea for the clinic as members of the LGBTQIA+ affinity group at Dinsmore & Shohl.

The Name Change Clinic has been hosted twice in the last two years in partnership with Louisville Pride Foundation.

“Given the climate that the LGBTQ community faces today, particularly trans folks and nonbinary folks, we want to be there to show that community that they're supported. They have members of the legal community who are with them and are there to help them,” Grissom said.

Navigating the legal system in general as a trans person can feel and be unsafe, especially when legal names and/or gender markers contrast with gender presentation.

If a trans person has a negative experience with the court system in terms of being respected regarding their gender identity, it can leave a scar on them and their perspective of the law, according to Vic Leon Reibel, Louisville Pride Foundation’s program and events specialist and coordinator.

Vic Leon Reibel (they/he), Louisville Pride Foundation’s program and events specialist and coordinator, was one of the almost 40 individuals that attended the name change clinic this past June.

“When you're trans and you're trying to go through that system, it can be really intimidating. And a lot of times they are not helpful, they don't want to help you,” they said.

Trans and non-binary individuals having the ability to change their name is about more than just a piece of paper: it’s about freedom and safety.

“Being able to change your name like that, giving yourself the power to be autonomous and be the driver of your own ideas: It’s so important for mental health, for being able to navigate the world,” Reibel said.

Slaton noted that when someone’s legal and chosen name do not match, it can put them in an unsafe situation when they have to share their legal identity.

“They’re basically having to come out as trans every time they’re filling out a legal form and then that can open them up to discrimination…It’s kind of like one extra barrier that you never really know when it’s gonna come up in your daily life. We were able to get rid of that,” he said.

Reibel was one of nearly 40 people that were aided by the Name Change Clinic this year, doubling the number of people helped in June of 2022, according to Grissom.

Reibel had been wanting to change his name and when he heard of the clinic that was to be held at the foundation this June, he finally felt like he had a starting point.

“It sounded like it was going to take all of the weight off my shoulders and having to do it alone,” he said, “Just having the peace of mind that somebody was going to be able to guide me through as a trans person, it was really encouraging and I was optimistic about it.”

Reibel was not disappointed as they went through the process, which they said took five minutes and was easy, efficient and welcoming.

After registering for the clinic, Reibel heard back within two to three weeks to confirm their spot with a date and a time frame to attend the clinic. All that Reibel was required to bring was current identification.

Once called back from the waiting room, one of the attorneys explained to Reibel what they could expect in the coming months in terms of the name change process. Reibel said that the attorneys were well-educated about working with trans people and using the appropriate language.

“Just on the face of it, doing something like a name change process can be very intimidating for people, let alone the question of are you going to be met with hostility, are you going to be exposing yourself to criticism or ridicule or hostility or pushback in this process?” Slaton said.

The attorneys were there to help solely with the name change, not judge or question those seeking help.

“Having a space when you know that it's going to be affirming, and somebody who is an ally is going to be helping you, walking you through the process that can be very mystifying, that's just kind of…a game changer for people,” Slaton continued.

At the clinic, the attorneys present the three necessary forms to petition a name change, help attendees fill them out and have their signatures notarized.

Grissom said that the next step is for the attorneys to file the forms with the court. In Jefferson County, Grissom has found that when an attorney is present during the filing process the orders are accepted without much issue.

However, Grissom noted that the process can be more complicated with minors. Both parents also have to sign the name change forms in the case of a minor, and there may be a court hearing before the order is approved.

If a hearing is necessary in any name-changing case, Dinsmore & Shohl attorneys would be there to represent the clinic attendee.

After the clinic attendee receives the official copy of the name change order from Dinsmore & Shohl they are expected to continue on the next steps of getting an updated social security card, driver’s license, birth certificate, etc., as well as updating their names with all necessary groups such as creditors, employers, landlords, banks and schools.

The volunteer attorneys at the clinic also provide and encourage consultations for those that have questions and/or concerns about going through the name change process.

Anyone living in a Kentucky county has the ability to legally change their name in the state, regardless of birthplace, according to the Legal Aid Network of Kentucky.

Individuals that live in Indiana are also welcome to attend the name change clinic in Louisville.

“If there are people in Indiana who need these services, please go ahead and sign up. We can work with you to try and figure it out, and we’ll get you paired up with folks who are licensed in Indiana who could help you out theoretically,” Grissom said, “If we cannot do it, we will help you find the resources that hopefully can help you.”

Not only does the clinic walk individuals through the name change process, but booths were set up to advise people on changing their gender markers and filing taxes. Attendees were also provided with a packet of resources that would be beneficial to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Dinsmore & Shohl and Louisville Pride Foundation received a number of helping hands at this year’s clinic including the University of Louisville’s Lambda Law Caucus and Brandeis School of Law and a number of volunteers from the community.

Louisville Pride Foundation is located at 1244 S 3rd St. Like the name change clinic, the foundation hosts a variety of events an programs at the community center.

When Dinsmore & Shohl approached Louisville Pride Foundation about the clinic, Slaton knew it was exactly the sort of program the foundation likes to host. While name changes weren’t something that was often asked about, Slaton said that once the clinic was announced people were excited at the prospect of it.

In addition to providing a space to host the clinic, Louisville Pride Foundation also helped to cover the cost of court fees through donations. The clinic runs on a pay-what-you-can basis, so those who faced the barrier of cost could proceed with their name change.

Dinsmore & Shohl and Louisville Pride Foundation are tentatively planning to host the clinic again this September, sometime after Louisville Pride Festival on Sept. 9.