Mastercard to let transgender people use chosen name on cards

Mastercard will now allow transgender and nonbinary customers to use chosen names on their credit cards, the company announced Monday.

With the company’s new True Name card, the name that shows up can be different than the one that appears on a person’s birth certificate or driver’s license. In other words, people can use the name they want without being required to legally change their name.

{mosads}“We are allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, which means if we see a need or if this community is not being served in the most inclusive way, we want to be a force for change to help address and alleviate unnecessary pain points,” Randall Tucker, Mastercard’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, said in a press release. “Our vision is that every card should be for everyone.”

Nearly one-third of people who have shown IDs with a name or gender that didn’t match their presentation said they’ve had negative experiences, including being denied services, harassed or attacked, Mastercard said.

“Until now, this discrimination has carried through to their cards and payment mechanisms,” the statement reads.

Mastercard called on banks to adopt the new standards as well.