Three local organizations teamed up Tuesday on Transgender Day of Visibility to support those going through the name change process in New York state.
Flood Watch for WNY. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, and streams. From Tuesday morning through Wednesday evening.A transgender flag is displayed during a name change clinic in downtown Rochester, Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Rochester, N.Y. — Three local organizations teamed up Tuesday on Transgender Day of Visibility to support those going through the name change process in New York state. "I've been in this process for a few years, fighting to get my name changed," said Amore Pratt, an activist and community organizer. "Due to legal situations and/or other barriers, it's been a process. Hopefully, it will be a brighter future and some doors will open." The event offered one-on-one legal assistance, including guidance on completing the necessary paperwork, understanding fee waivers and navigating the court process. "The current federal policy has really made it difficult for many transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals," supervising attorney Kristen Johnson said. "We're pretty lucky that, in this state, we have rules that allow them to be able to change their names, change their genders, be their authentic selves ... so this is extremely important because the individuals that we're helping here today are going to be able to be their authentic selves — legally — and nobody can take that away from them.""One of the biggest barriers is just calling the number, sending the email, believing in yourself, believing that this is what you deserve, that you deserve to live and connect your legal documents to exactly who you are," said Brittan Hardgers, founder of Next Generation Men of Transition. "For me, when I think of the process, we're just breaking down the barriers and meeting people exactly where they are, but reminding them that you are exactly who you say you are." A flyer from the Empire Justice Center, displayed during an event in Rochester, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, shows information about resources for those going through the name change process in New York state. "It's time for people to understand that visibility is power in a world where folks are trying to erase us limit that power," Hardgers said. "Let's stand on those protections and use those protections as power for folks to move from surviving to thriving in this political climate."Chili, N.Y. — The Monroe County Sheriff's Office is asking for help finding two missing boys who have special needs.No serious injuries were reported after 11 vehicles were involved in a crash Monday on Interstate 590, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.A troubled shopping plaza on East Ridge Road is being partially shut down after the Irondequoit Town Board voted unanimously to declare it a public nuisance.
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