INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WOWO): A State appeals court has ruled a Fort Wayne resident born a female, can legally be considered male.

Earlier this month, the Indiana Court of Appeals overturned an a lower court ruling that denied Patrick Ray request four years ago. The appeals court ruled similar requests should be granted if they are made with good intent.

According the News-Sentinel, In 2010, an Allen Circuit Court judge allowed a name from Pauletta to Paul, but denied a request to change his legal gender. The judge at the time, said their was no legal authority to grant the request.

The appeals court determined that if records such as birth certificates can allow name changes, there should be no law prohibiting legal changes in gender.