Pro bono solicitor helps transgender youngsters avoid 'violent humiliation'

An award winning lawyer is working pro bono to help transgender young people find their identities.

Cris McCurley (pictured right), a Newcastle-based partner at Ben Hoare Bell, has assisted 15 people to change their names by deed poll.

McCurley, who was named 'Solicitor of the Year' at the Law Society Excellence Awards said: 'I am happy to be in a position to help these young transgender people. Changing their given name is crucial. But it's also daunting and can be complex and costly.'

The young people attend the gender identity services run by the Northern communities charity Developing Initiatives Supporting Communities (DISC), in partnership with Trinity Youth Association. The DISC service supports young people aged 15 to 25 and is funded by Comic Relief.

Billijean Summerbell, a team leader for LGBT services praised the solicitor's work: 'Cris is so kind to do what she does for the young people who are in transition. Changing your name is such a big step.

'It gives people who are transgender so much self-confidence. If they open a bank account or have to present ID in any situation, it can be excruciating if your name does not match your gender identity.'

Summerbell continued: 'With their names changed, our service users can really begin to blossom in life and not feel they're one step away from a course word or nasty look or some other, even violent, humiliation.'

'Cris is a really warm person who treats everyone with genuine respect. Young people are just skipping when they know she's sorted out all the legal stuff to make it happen. They hug her. It's a magical, life changing moment for them.'

Cauley Jefferson (pictured left), a DISC servicer user explained why a name change was important to him: 'It feels really good. It is difficult, especially meeting new people, trying to be identified as male and then having to give a female name. It's a bit of a confidence knock.'

Matthew Rogers is an editorial assistant at Solicitors Journalmatthew.rogers@solicitorsjournal.co.uk | @sportslawmatt