According to a Texas Department of Public Safety internal email, a copy of which was sent to Dallas Voice through a local attorney, DPS has — unilaterally and without any public notice — decided to stop amending gender markers on Texas driver licenses and state ID cards.
The email also indicates that the DPS will create a database of all individuals who request to have the gender marker on their license or ID changed.
The policy change follows an earlier request from Texas Attorney General that DPS provide his office with records from individuals who had had gender markers corrected on their license or ID. At the time, because DPS was not able to differentiate between changes based on a court order and those made to correct clerical errors, the agency was not able to provide Paxton with the information he wanted.
This new policy appears to be implemented to create the database Paxton asked for.
The email, which has been verified by an attorney, was dated Aug. 20. It ordered that “Effective immediately, the Department will not accept court orders or amended birth certificates issued that change the sex when it differs from the documentation already on file.”
The email, signed by Driver License Division Sheri Gipson, notes that “the validity of such documents is currently under review by Office of the Director to ensure that all state and federal guidelines are being met. For current DL/ID holders, the sex established at the time of original application and listed in the driver record will not be changed unless there was a clerical error. The sex will reflect the sex listed on the primary document presented upon original application that is already on file.”
Gipson stressed in the email that the new policy doesn’t mean DPS will refuse to issue or renew a driver’s license or Texas, just that the “issuance can proceed with documentation on file,” and it will be “left up to the customer” to accept a license or ID card that does not match their gender identity and presentation.
Gipson wrote, “If a first-time applicant presents conflicting documents, such as a birth certificate with a court order requiring a sex change, the sex listed on the original birth certificate will take precedence to record the sex. If a single court order contains both a name change and a sex change, we cannot accept the order. The applicant will be processed with no change and with the information on file.”
Gipson then directs employees to scan into the record all “court order sex change documentation that cannot be processed” and email the requesting person’s name and driver’s license or state ID number to “DLCourtorders@dps.texas.gov,” noting on the email subject line “Sex Change Court Order.”
Adding that changes due to clerical errors are not to be reported and that the DLCourtorders email is “for internal reporting only and should not be shared with customers.”
Gipson apologized to employees “for the short notice,” adding that DPS officials “will work as quickly as possible to get resolution.” She said that “Customer escalations will be handled through chain-of-command.”
— Tammye Nash
I wonder how far they intend to go back. At least my birth cert is safe from Texas meddling with grand lives. The state I was born has in past and expect in future will tell Texas to stuff it.
Still the DL could cause problems mismatched I’d attempting to fly is tough.
Horrifying. Small government this move is not.
So they’re going to force fully bearded trans men to have female listed on their license. This is going to be so confusing during scenarios where licenses need to be checked
I haven’t gotten my court order yet even though I submitted it in April and now I’m never going to be able to have a driver’s license that says I’m female. This isn’t fair
Magat Fascists
It would sure as he’ll be a shame if someone were to spam that email address with emails with the subject “Sex Change Court Order” now wouldn’t it
First off i can say this is bs.
I do not see how this can happen. If you have a court order for name change and gender marker change and it was done they can. Ot make u change it back this is some bs . This is a civil rights no way this can pass. Abbot prob put this up on the proposal and for it to go to Supreme Court no way . Civil right and law suits will take place . I can say this because I am a trans man and I vote. I am a Proud Trans Man and gender affirming care saved my life .
So every vote counts and I will be voting for Madam VP Kamala Harris 💙🌊💙🌊💙🌊
Next, they’ll insist people who don’t think like them wear a visible star on the clothing so they may be recognized by all.
#texasholocaust
#abbottscarletletter
Absolutely disgusting. Let them get their named changed, it hurts no one. I expected more from the Dallas I grew up in. DO BETTER. Protect our trans family.
Friggin fascists
Don’t let big government collect your identification information. This is TEXAS home of the free and land of the Yeehaws.
ok, what the actual hell is this? this “gender offender list” will no doubt crop up later and will most definitely be used to harm transgender people. and if they’re already allowing that, then no trans people will be safe regardless of whether or not they submitted a request to change the sex on their ID.
Texas is becoming the worst and most horrible place I’ve ever lived!! I’m a straight white married family man (boomer) and I HATE what I see in Texas these days. The governor and his henchmen (’cause that’s exactly what they are – bunch of IGNORANT KKK fascists) think they can SHOVE RELIGION down our throats in the name of ‘family values’. WRONG. We’re going to get you crooks out of office.
The worst part is they know this is going to fall in court and are just trying to get that registry of the names of all the trans people VOTE PAXTON OUT OF OFFICE!!!