In 2014 Marius came out as transgender and in March of 2018 he attempted to legally change his name while still located at FMC Carswell in Texas.
Today we are happy to announce that the state of CT has granted his legal name change! Marius writes,
“I had my hearing on the name change, after all, and it went great… only asked a few questions as to my purpose and intent on changing the name, then swore me in and I signed a paper, and it was done! After all these years pursuing it, it was funny for it to be so low-key. I have felt like my name was Marius for years now, but it feels good to have it be official – hello, my name is Marius Mason…”
This means the world to Marius and to the entire trans community in federal prisons around the US.
Please be aware that while the name change is official, the BOP still needs to catch up. Marius will still have to use his dead name when making phone calls, sending letters, and other official business while incarcerated. We are hopeful that with more advocacy this will change.
Again, please continue to use “Marie (Marius) Mason” when writing letters to him until we are able to confirm that FCI Danbury is accepting his legal name on mail.
Project 103 is still on going. Project 103 explained:
One way the State of Texas harms trans persons is by setting up barriers to affirming documentation such as Section 45.103 of the Texas Family Code. This statute, in part, prohibits a person with a felony conviction from changing their name (and gender marker) for two years after the completion of all terms of their sentence.
We argue that this is an unconstitutional barrier, and one that disproportionally impacts trans people and further criminalizes our survival.
Project 103 is expected to show that Section 45.103 of the Texas Family Code is unconstitutional.