Texas Halts Gender Changes on State IDs for Transgender Individuals

Texas Halts Gender Changes on State IDs for Transgender Individuals

Texas Blocks Gender Changes on State-Issued IDs

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has ceased processing court orders to change gender markers on driver’s licenses and other state-issued IDs, effectively preventing transgender individuals from updating their gender on official documents. This decision was confirmed by officials on Thursday.

DPS Cites Legal Concerns

According to a DPS spokesperson, the suspension of gender marker updates stems from concerns raised by the state’s attorney general’s office. The concerns revolve around the “validity of court orders” instructing Texas agencies to modify gender information on official records, including driver’s licenses and birth certificates. DPS clarified that neither it nor other state entities are involved in the legal proceedings that generate these orders. The statement emphasized the need for a thorough legal review due to a lack of legislative authority and evidentiary standards guiding these court orders.

As a result, DPS announced that, as of August 20, 2024, it will no longer accept court orders as grounds to alter gender identification in department records.

IDs to Reflect Original Gender Documents

NBC affiliate KXAN in Austin reported that, per an internal DPS email, an individual’s gender on a state-issued ID will now align with the gender listed on their primary documentation during the initial application. The email also indicated that DPS employees are required to report attempts by transgender individuals to update their gender markers.

Backlash from LGBTQIA+ Advocates

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas has strongly criticized the DPS decision. Ash Hall, the ACLU of Texas’ policy and advocacy strategist for LGBTQIA+ rights, stated that this policy endangers the health and safety of transgender people, as having inaccurate identification can lead to being outed and subsequently subjected to discrimination, harassment, or even violence. Hall condemned the policy as “another alarming attack on our privacy, safety, and dignity.”

Equality Texas, an organization focused on securing full equality for LGBTQIA+ Texans, also condemned the move, calling it “a blatant denial of trans Texans’ dignity and privacy.” The group emphasized that possessing an ID that accurately reflects one’s identity is a fundamental right that many take for granted.

Transgender Advocacy Groups Speak Out

The Transgender Education Network of Texas joined the chorus of criticism, asserting on social media that transgender people have the right to live without demonization and unnecessary disruption. The group highlighted that, despite DPS’s actions, transgender Texans can still change their gender markers through the court system. However, they also noted that restricting such changes on IDs will cause harm to the transgender community, even though it does not impact society at large.

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