York Bar is PROUD to Foster Justice, Equity, and Inclusion for All People

June is Pride Month, and at the York County Bar, we are dedicated to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion for all people to drive sustainable, positive change within our organization, the legal system, and the community.

In 2023, the York County Bar Foundation proudly awarded the Rainbow Rose Center $5,000 in seed funding to establish a new fund assisting LGBTQIA+ community members with the name change process. The Rainbow Rose Center, based in York, is committed to fostering an environment of inclusion, equity, and health where all LGBTQIA+ community members can thrive. Their comprehensive resources include safe housing support, support groups, tobacco cessation programs, and community health initiatives, among others.

A crucial aspect of well-being for some gender-diverse individuals is the ability to legally change their name and/or gender marker. These changes are essential for personal identity, and without appropriate identity documents, individuals may face barriers to employment, education, and accessing public benefits, as well as face discrimination. Since opening their office in May 2023, the Rainbow Rose Center has assisted 55 individuals with the name change process. Tesla Taliaferro, co-founder and President of the Rainbow Rose Center, highlights the significance of this resource and the impact the Bar Foundation's support is making.

What significance does the name change process hold for members of the LGBTQIA+ community?

Changing one's legal name is not only an affirmation of who that person is, but it also protects them from being constantly outed. When you have a document that doesn't have your true name, especially if that name is gendered, then it can out you as a member of the gender-diverse or transgender community which can lead to conflicts or dangerous situations.

How have you utilized the $5,000 grant awarded by the Bar Foundation?

Before we received the grant from the Bar Foundation, we assisted community members with the name change process individually. The grant has allowed us to expand our efforts by organizing name change workshops. Last year, we hosted two workshops and plan to host them quarterly starting in July. Our goal is to offer workshops monthly due to the consistent demand.

When we originally applied for the grant, we were seeking funding to provide scholarships for community members who may not be able to afford the name change fees, which can be nearly $600. A tremendously expensive fee especially when you consider someone who's changing their name for marriage pays $20. Around the same time, the Eastern PA Transgender Equity Project , expanded its name change scholarship coverage to include 19 counties, including York, Lancaster, Cumberland, and Adams.

We have coordinated with the Eastern PA Transgender Equity Project to cover name change costs for York County individuals who do not qualify under their guidelines. The Rainbow Rose Center also assists with printing court paperwork, preparing individuals for the process, and finding volunteers to accompany them to court.

What are the advantages of having a volunteer accompany an individual in court?

It’s about support. We've had some people who have either run afoul of the law before or have trust issues with law enforcement. We're there to help them through that process, or if they need help during the court date, we're there to talk them through on what to expect, try to calm their nerves, and hold their hand if that's what's needed.

How can legal professionals better support and advocate for the diverse needs of this community?

It's important to be curious, nonjudgmental, open and to genuinely listen to what people are telling you. Be ready to stand up for justice. I recently heard someone say, “Fighting for civil rights is more fighting for the ability to be included in basic human rights, rather than excluded.” Our community is extremely excluded right now, especially our trans and gender-diverse community, and especially in the schools. It’s crucial to ensure healthy legal representation on school boards to protect our children. We’re seeing too many children committing suicide; it feels like we are moving backwards way too fast. 

It is a requirement in Commonwealth and the York County Court of Common Pleas to publish a name change. However, if the Court finds that the publication of the notice would jeopardize the safety of the person seeking the name change, the Court can issue an order waiving the publication of the notice. In addition to safety concerns, the publication forces individuals to be out forever, the same way that having wrong documentation forces them to be out all the time. Increased advocacy for this right to be applied uniformly can help ensure that these individuals receive the protection and privacy they deserve.

How can legal professionals get involved?

Currently, we have about a half dozen volunteers, but we welcome additional support from attorneys with name change experience. While you don’t need an attorney to file for a name change, some prefer extra assistance with the application or a review by an attorney. We are also seeking individuals to serve on our working board, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise. Interested individuals can contact Tesla, ttaliaferro@rainbowrosecenter.org.

Want to get more involved? Check out these upcoming Pride events.

Pride Month Paint Night – Thursday, June 13
York’s Gayest Happy Hour PRIDE Month Celebration – Thursday, June 13
Pride Month Group Art Show – Friday, June 21
York County Pride – Saturday, June 22, 2024
York Revolution Pride at the Ballpark – Thursday June 27