Letter from Social Security Administration to National Center for Transgender Equality Explaining Gender Data as Optional
November 2010 | National Center for Transgender Equality
“ "Gender is an optional field in the SSNVS. We regret that there has been some confusion over this optional field in SSNVS."”
This letter from the Social Security Administration to the National Center for Transgender Equality explains that gender data is optional, and should not be a basis for any adverse action against an employee. The letter recommends that employers not submit gender data to avoid any problems. Providing a copy of this letter may help convince an employer to drop any concerns related to a no-match letter. However, because it is addressed to NCTE, using this letter may mean coming out to your employer as transgender.