Judge finds bride innocent of lying about gender

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – A man who had sex-change surgery to become a woman was acquitted Tuesday of intentionally lying by listing herself as the bride on a marriage license application.

Leavenworth County District Judge Frank Stewart said it was impossible to determine whether Sandy Clarissa Gast had intended to lie on the application or whether she truly believed herself to be female.

Gast had been charged with false swearing, which carries a $500 fine. Prosecutors said she should have been listed as a man on the marriage license application, filed in February.

“I don’t know what my next step is going to be,” Gast said, holding the hand of her partner, George “Georgi” Somers, outside court. “Right now I’m just going to kick back.”

Gast, 48, was born Edward Gast and underwent sex change surgery in October after living for several years as a woman. She had planned to marry Somers, who is a man but dresses as a woman.

Topeka psychologist George Hough testified that after examining Gast three times this summer, he believes she should have been considered a woman even before her surgery.