The Mississippi Supreme Court has upheld a lower court’s decision against a transgender teenager’s request to change his name, marking a significant moment in the legal landscape surrounding gender identity and minors. This decision, which involved the consent of both the teen’s parents, highlights the complexities of legal standards in name-change petitions.
In a case that began almost two years ago, a 16-year-old in the midst of a gender transition sought legal recognition of his new identity through a name change. Despite the full support of both parents, Hinds County Chancery Judge Tametrice Hodges denied the request in November 2023, citing concerns over the teen’s maturity.
The Court’s Decision
The ruling was affirmed by an 8-1 vote from the Mississippi Supreme Court. The majority opinion stated, “The petitioner’s primary appellate argument is that the chancellor had no discretion to deny the name-change petition because it was uncontested and both parents agreed. But Mississippi law says otherwise.” This highlights the court’s interpretation that parental consent alone does not suffice under state law.
Justice Leslie King, the only dissenting voice, argued that the lack of comprehensive records in the case precluded a definitive ruling from the Supreme Court. He suggested, “I find that the chancery court’s order should be vacated and that the case should be remanded.”
Background of the Petition
The original petition, filed by the teen’s mother in July 2023, sought to change her child’s full name to better align with his gender identity. The proposal included adopting a more masculine first name, her own middle name, and altering the last name to reflect only the father’s surname, removing the current hyphenation.
