Trans people face heightened scrutiny in a post-9/11 world

[Julie Marie]

You're driving in your car and get stopped by the police for speeding. The officer asks for your license and registration and takes them back to the police car. He swipes a strip on the back of the license into a computer, and instantly has access to an assortment of personal documents about you, from your birth certificate to letters from your doctor detailing your most private and intimate medical history. While it sounds like a plotline pulled from the Sci-Fi Channel's new fall lineup, it could be a very real scenario for members of the transgender community if the Real ID Act goes into effect as scheduled in May 2008.

Click here to read more and find out what you can do to protect yourself.
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[Julie Marie]

I'm so glad that I won't have to deal with this law

But you might!  Already states are implementing regulations that require you to submit documentation that will be added to your records.
This article talks about the SSA outing people to their employers, law enforcement being able to swipe your drivers license and know instantly you were born male and what your birth name is and more. 

State driver's license facilities have been sending out notices to TGs requiring them to come in with a surgeon's letter to verify gender change or their license will be suspended.  Once they have that letter it will be scanned into the system and made available to anyone who has access to it. 

And who's to say they won't go back to check on TGs who have already completed the legal process? 

The article is lengthy but worth reading.  At the end they suggest you have the court seal personal documents in an effort to protect you from abuse or discrimination.

[Melissa]

Already states are implementing regulations that require you to submit documentation that will be added to your records.
This article talks about the SSA outing people to their employers, law enforcement being able to swipe your drivers license and know instantly you were born male and what your birth name is and more. 

State driver's license facilities have been sending out notices to TGs requiring them to come in with a surgeon's letter to verify gender change or their license will be suspended.  Once they have that letter it will be scanned into the system and made available to anyone who has access to it. 

And who's to say they won't go back to check on TGs who have already completed the legal process? 

The article is lengthy but worth reading.  At the end they suggest you have the court seal personal documents in an effort to protect you from abuse or discrimination.

This is true.  I just learned today that Washington has started taking measures to implement the new system.  They started requiring a letter from a surgeon to change the gender marker about 2 weeks after I got mine changed.  I found this out from another TS her locally that wasn't able to change hers.  I feel so lucky, since I was one of the last ones who was able to change it without surgery.  Mine was changed in early July and I think they made the change about August 1.

Melissa