Rhode Island recognizes the gender of trans people. I.E. trans women are considered women, trans men are men, and non-binary people, at least in some instances are recognized as non-binary.
Rhode Island is a "sanctuary state", which protects trans care.
- Trans people are specifically named in Rhode Island non-discrimination laws.
- Rhode Island does have a religious freedom law that may provide religious exemptions to non-discrimination law in some limited circumstances.
- Trans people are allowed to use the facilities they are comfortable in, including bathrooms, showers, locker rooms, etc. Legal documentation of your gender is not required for this protection.
- Drag performance and cross-dressing is legal in Rhode Island.
See the USA TSA document.
- Jails and prisons consider the gender identity of prisoners when making housing decisions, but state prisons note that prisoners will initially be housed based on sex assigned at birth.
- Transition care should be available in state prisons, but may not be the same standard as care outside of prison.
Non-binary people are recognized, at least by some aspects of government, such as in the ability to change birth certificates, driver licenses, and data gathering. However, non-binary recognition may still be in-complete in Rhode Island.
- Trans medical care is legal for all ages.
- Rhode Island has a sanctuary law.
- Transition care is not defined as child abuse
- Same-sex marriage (and thus all trans marriage) is recognized
Because of the rhetoric around trans people in the political and media space, trans people should use caution, particularly in bathrooms, locker rooms, showers, etc. Random and targeted attacks may occur, and trans people who report these attacks can expect to sometimes be misgendered by officials and public institutions.