Texas Department of Public Safety to Stop Allowing Gender Changes on Driver's Licenses

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has recently introduced a policy change that significantly impacts transgender Texans. The Texas DPS has instructed its employees not to allow transgender individuals to change the gender markers on their driver's licenses or state IDs, even if they present court orders or amended birth certificates. This policy went into effect immediately upon announcement. Florida, Kansas, and Tennessee have similar laws not allowing for gender changes on driver’s licenses. According to statements from DPS, this directive stems from concerns raised by the Office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton about the validity of court orders for gender changes. The argument includes the lack of legislative authority and evidentiary standards for these court orders, suggesting a need for a comprehensive legal review.

This policy has sparked significant debate over transgender rights, privacy, and the legal authority of state agencies to override court decisions. While the policy directly affects transgender Texans, the broader implications touch on issues of state governance, individual rights, and the intersection of law with personal identity.