News and Events => Political and Legal News => Topic started by: Natasha on November 03, 2012, 07:01:54 AM Return to Full Version
Title: Survey documents transgender experiences getting driver’s license
Post by: Natasha on November 03, 2012, 07:01:54 AM
Post by: Natasha on November 03, 2012, 07:01:54 AM
Survey documents transgender experiences getting driver's license
http://fox13now.com/2012/11/02/survey-documents-transgender-experiences-getting-drivers-license/ (http://fox13now.com/2012/11/02/survey-documents-transgender-experiences-getting-drivers-license/)
11/2/12
by Ben Winslow
Survey respondents documented repeated instances of being forced to remove makeup or pull long hair back.
"I express myself as female 24/7 and now my license does not match what I look like on a day-to-day basis," wrote one person. "Doesn't this defeat the purpose of a picture ID?"
Another person described a degrading experience trying to renew their license.
"One of the employees was nice to me until she found out I was transgender," that person wrote. "Then she became incredibly rude. She left the counter for an unknown reason and whispered to two other employees while looking at me. Then they would all look at me and laugh."
http://fox13now.com/2012/11/02/survey-documents-transgender-experiences-getting-drivers-license/ (http://fox13now.com/2012/11/02/survey-documents-transgender-experiences-getting-drivers-license/)
11/2/12
by Ben Winslow
Survey respondents documented repeated instances of being forced to remove makeup or pull long hair back.
"I express myself as female 24/7 and now my license does not match what I look like on a day-to-day basis," wrote one person. "Doesn't this defeat the purpose of a picture ID?"
Another person described a degrading experience trying to renew their license.
"One of the employees was nice to me until she found out I was transgender," that person wrote. "Then she became incredibly rude. She left the counter for an unknown reason and whispered to two other employees while looking at me. Then they would all look at me and laugh."
Title: Re: Survey documents transgender experiences getting driver’s license
Post by: MadelineB on November 03, 2012, 11:57:59 AM
Post by: MadelineB on November 03, 2012, 11:57:59 AM
The article, which describes results of a remarkable survey of 120 transgender Utahns, reminds me why I am so grateful that I was able to move from Utah to Oregon 15 years ago. Utah has many wonderful people, but also an ingrained culture of intolerance towards anything considered deviant. Oregon (at least urban Oregon) celebrates deviation from, and skepticism towards, "norms".
I had a delightful encounter when I went for my driver's license here in a small town just outside of Portland. The policies were very clear and respectful (though the office I went to had never processed a gender change and had to consult the manual with my help to confirm that it was as easy as it looked). Took about 10 minutes, with my letter from a therapist on the state's DMV approved list stating that it would be a burden to me to be regarded as male. I even changed my name at the same time using a copy of my name change court order. Everyone was complimentary and supportive. "I can see why you need to update your ID. This fits you much better" from the clerk, and "You look so beautiful!" from the photographer.
Oregon's procedures should be a model for other states. No hassle for the state or its citizens, no problem for anybody.
In Oregon, the law is written such that any person, driver or not, can obtain an official state ID in their alternative gender presentation, which is a major assistance to crossdressers. For your driver's license picture you can dress any way you like as long as the picture makes you clearly identifiable, so no hats or sunglasses, but gender presentation doesn't matter at all. For the gender marker itself, the gender marker is based on the gender on whatever official document you originally presented to get your driver's license, so once you are in one gender with the state it doesn't change until you present the gender change letter, then pay for your new DL reissued with the same DL#, and your voter registration is updated at the same time if you like. Therapists can apply to be certified by the state as able to write gender letters (mine did), or you can just visit one on the list for the letter.
I had a delightful encounter when I went for my driver's license here in a small town just outside of Portland. The policies were very clear and respectful (though the office I went to had never processed a gender change and had to consult the manual with my help to confirm that it was as easy as it looked). Took about 10 minutes, with my letter from a therapist on the state's DMV approved list stating that it would be a burden to me to be regarded as male. I even changed my name at the same time using a copy of my name change court order. Everyone was complimentary and supportive. "I can see why you need to update your ID. This fits you much better" from the clerk, and "You look so beautiful!" from the photographer.
Oregon's procedures should be a model for other states. No hassle for the state or its citizens, no problem for anybody.
In Oregon, the law is written such that any person, driver or not, can obtain an official state ID in their alternative gender presentation, which is a major assistance to crossdressers. For your driver's license picture you can dress any way you like as long as the picture makes you clearly identifiable, so no hats or sunglasses, but gender presentation doesn't matter at all. For the gender marker itself, the gender marker is based on the gender on whatever official document you originally presented to get your driver's license, so once you are in one gender with the state it doesn't change until you present the gender change letter, then pay for your new DL reissued with the same DL#, and your voter registration is updated at the same time if you like. Therapists can apply to be certified by the state as able to write gender letters (mine did), or you can just visit one on the list for the letter.