Transgender individuals in Kansas were shocked to find their driver’s licenses and birth certificates invalidated due to a new law effective Thursday. This law prohibits transgender people from using restrooms that match their gender identity and retroactively invalidates previous legal gender changes.
Matthew Newman, a local transgender man, expressed concern over potential legal issues while driving, as he awaits clarification from the Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR), which has begun notifying about 300 individuals affected by the change. KDOR indicated that the invalidations come with no grace period and warned of penalties for those without valid IDs.
The law also affects over 1,800 birth certificates with amended gender markers, with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reviewing each case. Individuals need to apply for updated documents and pay a fee.
The ACLU plans to challenge the law in court, arguing that it strips individuals of their right to privacy regarding their gender identity and retroactively nullifies their already approved changes. The law has ignited a broader legal battle involving Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, who contends that such documents should reflect an individual’s gender at birth.
Zane Irwin reports for the Kansas News Service, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by the transgender community in light of these legislative changes.
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