Gov. David Ige signed a bill Monday that makes it easier for transgender men and women to change the gender on their birth certificates in Hawaii.

The Legislature passed House Bill 631 in May over the objections of Republicans and conservative Democrats.

Ige held a bill-signing ceremony Monday at his office with activists and allies with Hawaii’s transgender community.

Activists and allies with Hawaii’s transgender community flank Gov. David Ige and state Rep. Della Au Belatti (left of Ige) at a signing ceremony for House Bill 631, which makes it easier for transgender individuals to modify their birth certificates to agree with their gender identity.

Todd Simmons

“I know that this has been a tough issue,” Ige said in an Associated Press story. “As all of you know, the birth certificate is one of those foundation documents.”

Many in the transgender community can’t afford or don’t want to undergo costly surgeries, AP reports. But having a birth certificate that reflects their gender expression is critical for school transcripts, job applications, health insurance and many other aspects of life, advocates said.

“With this new law, it’s life-changing,” said Tia Thompson, 30, of Honolulu, who was denied a birth certificate that reflects her female gender identity. “Words cannot express what’s going on.”

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