Transgender legal history in the United States

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Transgender topics
Outline History Timeline
Gender identities Androgyne Bissu, Calabai, Calalai Burrnesha Cisgender Gender bender Hijra Non-binary or genderqueer Gender fluidity Kathoey Koekchuch Third gender Bakla Faʻafafine Femminiello Khanith Māhū Mudoko dako Mukhannath Muxe Travesti Two-spirit Winkte X-gender Trans man Trans woman Fakaleitī Mak nyah Rae-rae Transgender Youth Akava'ine Transsexual
Health care practices Gender clinic Gender dysphoria in children Sex assignment Hormone therapy feminizing masculinizing Puberty-suppressing hormone therapy Gender-affirming surgery female-to-male male-to-female Facial feminization surgery Facial masculinization surgery Hair removal Pregnancy Assisted reproductive technology Voice therapy WPATH Standards of Care
Rights and legal status Gender self-identification Legal gender Non-binary gender Rights movement Organizations Asylum Healthcare Military service South Korea United States Prisons Toilets Bathroom bills Unisex Anti-gender movement Discrimination Non-binary Parental rights movement Transgender men Transmisogyny Genocide Inequality Violence Murders Trans panic defense Yogyakarta Principles
Society and culture Events and awareness Awareness Week Beauty pageants Day of Remembrance Day of Visibility Flag March more Culture Fictional characters Film Literature Media portrayals People Non-binary Publications Religion Sports Television
Theory and concepts Androphilia and gynephilia Blanchard's typology Childhood gender nonconformity Cisgender / cissexual Cisnormativity Cross-dressing Deadnaming Gender binary Gender detransitioning Gender expression Gender transitioning Gender identity Gender-sexuality questioning Gender variance Postgenderism Rapid-onset dysphoria Studies Transfeminism views Transmedicalism Transmisogyny
By country Rights Argentina 2012 law 2021 law Australia Brazil Canada 2016 bill China Finland France [fr] Germany India 2014 bill 2019 act Tamil Nadu Iran Ireland Pakistan 2017 bill 2018 act New Zealand Norway 2016 act Singapore South Africa 2003 act South Korea Spain 2022 law United Kingdom 2004 act United States Disenfranchisement Title IX Transphobia History Argentina [es] Australia Re Kevin Brazil China Finland Nazi Germany Singapore United Kingdom United States Legality Cafeteria riot Stonewall
See also Gender Gender studies Intersex Queer heterosexuality LGBT Sex Sex–gender distinction Sexual orientation Social construction of gender
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The legal and regulatory history of transgender and transsexual people in the United States begins in the 1960s. Such legislation covers federal, state, municipal, and local levels, as well as military justice. It reflects broader societal attitudes which have shifted significantly over time and have impacted legislative and judicial outcomes.

Legal cases concerning LGBT issues were first raised in the United States in the 1960s. These initial cases often revolved around the ability to change names or sex on legal documents and sought protection against various forms of discrimination—such as in employment, civil rights violations, and equal protection under the law. Over the decades, these issues expanded to include a broader array of concerns such as Medicare and Social Security benefits, transition-related healthcare rights in the workplace, marital rights, military service conditions, medical malpractice, restroom access, and housing discrimination.