Eckert Seamans, Hugh Lane, and Central Outreach Collaborate to Make Name Changes Easier and More Accessible for Transgender Individuals
April 5, 2022
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC (“Eckert Seamans”), Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation (“Hugh Lane”) and Central Outreach Wellness Center (“Central Outreach”) have announced a new collaboration to provide transgender, gender non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals with pro bono legal services so that they legally can change their names in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Giovanni Antonucci Di Cesare (He/Him/His), a Member and Inclusion Ambassador of Eckert Seamans, notes that a person’s name is essential for all aspects of daily life, explaining “individuals may experience exclusion from employment, housing, education, and society as a whole, may encounter violence, or may not be able to live their lives as authentically and fully as they should if their name does not match their lived experience.”
Antonucci Di Cesare elaborated that the name change process is often too costly and confusing for people to handle independently. Access to pro bono legal programs can also be challenging in some geographic regions. Antonucci Di Cesare emphasized that “having access to the courts and legal services should not depend on a person’s zip code.” The new collaboration between Eckert Seamans, Hugh Lane, and Central Outreach addresses this need. As part of this joint initiative, transgender, gender non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals who reside in Beaver and Washington counties can receive pro bono legal representation from volunteer attorneys at Eckert Seamans if they meet certain criteria, such as falling within certain income guidelines. Central Outreach and Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation will be responsible for conducting intake of new pro bono clients and referring them to Eckert Seamans. Hugh Lane will also offer operational, logistical, and financial assistance.
Sarah Rosso (They/She), Executive Director of Hugh Lane, noted: “Expanding access to gender affirming resources is much needed. We’re excited to be able to partner with Eckert Seamans to offer free name change services to our transgender, non-binary and gender expansive siblings throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. My hope is that in addition to working with individuals to meet their critical needs, we’ll also be able to push toward systemic change across the region with this work. All LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanian’s should be able to access resources and build community regardless of what county they reside in.”
Dr. Stacy Lane (She/Her/Hers), the Founder and Medical Director of Central Outreach, stated: “Every person should have access to the opportunity to change something as crucial to their identity as their name.”
Individuals who are interested in participating in the program should contact community coordinator Branden Dudek (He/Him/His) at Central Outreach branden@centraloutreach.com or Hugh Lane Client Services at info@hughlane.org.
For almost two years, Eckert Seamans has been providing pro bono legal services to transgender, gender non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals through the national Name Change Project, helping dozens of individuals in multiple states across the country to change their names. Eckert Seamans looks forward to continuing and expanding this vitally important work through this new collaboration.