GAO Review: Name and Gender Marker Changes on Federal Records
National Opportunity for PrideVA Members
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is working on a review of the processes for changing an individual’s legal name and gender designation on federal records at selected federal agencies (GAO job code 107045). GAO is looking for individuals who has legally changed both their name and gender designation on federal records to speak about their experiences with these processes. We’re contacting you today on their behalf to recruit volunteers for an interview on this important topic.
During a virtual interview, GAO would ask about your experiences with the processes of legally changing your own name and gender designation on your federal records both within your agency as well as other federal agencies. The selected agencies in this review include the Departments of State and Veterans Affairs; Internal Revenue Service; and Social Security Administration. Specifically, the discussion will ask about three topics:
· What are the processes to change your name and gender designation on federal records?
· What has been your experience requesting a name and gender designation change on federal records?
· What are the challenges you may have faced requesting a name and gender designation change and what opportunities, if any, exist for improving the process for changing your name on federal records?
Your experiences and perspectives about the process could help with making recommendations as to how it can be improved and provide accurate information to Congress.
Because of the sensitive nature of this subject, GAO has asked us to help coordinate scheduling these interviews to protect your privacy. GAO will not have records of your name and contact information. GAO also will not record your name in their discussion notes.
If you are interested in volunteering for an interview, please reach out to PrideVA Communication Director, Christopher Holland-Deguire, PsyD. via email (christopher.holland-deguire@va.gov) as soon as possible and, indicate all of the times (Eastern) you may be available. Additionally, based on your level of comfort, we can schedule your interview individually or as part of a group of up to 5 participants. We will attempt to find a scheduling option that will work for all participants, so we thank you in advance for your flexibility and cooperation.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is working on a review of the processes for changing an individual’s legal name and gender designation on federal records at selected federal agencies (GAO job code 107045). GAO is looking for individuals who has legally changed both their name and gender designation on federal records to speak about their experiences with these processes. We’re contacting you today on their behalf to recruit volunteers for an interview on this important topic.
During a virtual interview, GAO would ask about your experiences with the processes of legally changing your own name and gender designation on your federal records both within your agency as well as other federal agencies. The selected agencies in this review include the Departments of State and Veterans Affairs; Internal Revenue Service; and Social Security Administration. Specifically, the discussion will ask about three topics:
· What are the processes to change your name and gender designation on federal records?
· What has been your experience requesting a name and gender designation change on federal records?
· What are the challenges you may have faced requesting a name and gender designation change and what opportunities, if any, exist for improving the process for changing your name on federal records?
Your experiences and perspectives about the process could help with making recommendations as to how it can be improved and provide accurate information to Congress.
Because of the sensitive nature of this subject, GAO has asked us to help coordinate scheduling these interviews to protect your privacy. GAO will not have records of your name and contact information. GAO also will not record your name in their discussion notes.
If you are interested in volunteering for an interview, please reach out to PrideVA Communication Director, Christopher Holland-Deguire, PsyD. via email (christopher.holland-deguire@va.gov) as soon as possible and, indicate all of the times (Eastern) you may be available. Additionally, based on your level of comfort, we can schedule your interview individually or as part of a group of up to 5 participants. We will attempt to find a scheduling option that will work for all participants, so we thank you in advance for your flexibility and cooperation.
Please indicate if you would like an individual or group interview as well as which 90 minutes timeslot you are available for (additional slots can be requested if needed):
- Oct 24 9:00am-11:30am
- Oct 28 9:00am-2:30pm
- Oct 23 9:00am-1:00pm
Thank you very much for your willingness to share your perspective and experiences with the processes of changing your name and gender designation. We look forward to hearing from you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pride VA Board: Holland-deguire, Christopher B. (he/him/his) Christopher.Holland-Deguire@va.gov, Carothers, Ashley M. (she/her/hers) Ashley.Carothers@va.gov, and/or Morris, Jessica F. (she/her/hers) Jessica.Morris@va.gov.