Case 3:17-cv-00739-TJC-JBT Document 192 Filed 07/26/18 Page 12 of 70 PageID 10690
Office of Vital Statistics accepts supporting authenticated medical documentation to amend the sex designation on birth certificates.[1] See Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 64V1.003(2) (2004). Adams followed these procedures, and his Florida driver’s license and Florida birth certificate both now record his gender as “Male” or “M.” See Doc. 151, Pl. Ex. 3; Doc. 169, Pl. Ex. 4 (under seal).
According to Adams’ mother, coming out brought on “an absolutely remarkable” change in Adams. Doc. 160-1 at Tr. 220. “He went from this quiet, withdrawn, depressed kid to this very outgoing, positive, bright, confident kid. It was a complete 180.” Id. As Adams testified, with every step of the transition, he feels even better: “I don’t hate myself anymore. And I don’t hate the person I am. I don’t hate my body anymore. There are some parts I don’t like, of course, but I don’t look at myself and think all those negative thoughts anymore.” Id. at Tr. 106. Adams only sees his therapist now on an as-needed basis, less often than he previously did, and he is not taking any medications for anxiety or depression. Id. at Tr. 131, 188.
Adams is excelling academically in high school, is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Id. at Tr. 214–15; Doc. 162 at Tr. 129–130. He spends his summers volunteering at area hospitals and is involved in a number of organizations that serve the LGBT
- ↑ Plaintiff’s request for Judicial Notice of these Florida law provisions (Doc. 147) is granted without objection, though defendant contends that the state failed to follow its own procedures when changing Adams’ birth certificate. See Doc. 156 at 1, n.1.
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