Thursday, December 10, 2009
In Maryland, a big step back? Act now!
Posted by Harper Jean Tobin at 6:54 PM

http://nctequality.blogspot.com/2009/12/in-maryland-big-step-back-act-now.html

The Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA) is currently considering an update to their policy regarding changing the gender marker on a driver's license effective January 1, 2010.

In recent years, many states such as Massachusetts, New Jersey, Colorado, Ohio and the District of Columbia have updated their policies to ensure transgender people can obtain accurate driver's licenses. But while most states are moving in the right direction, Maryland is set to take a big step in the wrong direction.

The MVA current policy states that to change the gender marker, an applicant must provide a physician or psychologist's report to confirm that the applicant is in active treatment. The MVA requires annual re-evaluations until the applicant "meets requirements for permanent gender change." If you are using a name other than your birth name, you must bring the document that initiated the change of name, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court name change order and your current License.

QuoteThe MVA current policy states that to change the gender marker, an applicant must provide a physician or psychologist's report to confirm that the applicant is in active treatment. The MVA requires annual re-evaluations until the applicant "meets requirements for permanent gender change." If you are using a name other than your birth name, you must bring the document that initiated the change of name, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court name change order and your current License.

I do not see the issue. Would it not be reasonable for the MVA to insure that the individual seeking gender marker change is actualy doing so?
idk maybe I am missing something. I often do.

They plan to change that policy to be no change without surgery.

read the article

I read it like 4 times. It just says to change gender marker you must prove transition is in progress and that you will be re-evaluated anually until you have completed transition, or as they say "meets requirements for permant gender change". That sounds like a euphemism to me for srs. So what? It is not like anyone in active transition following the SOC would be unable to prove transition.  ***not picking a fight. There is no way to say this nicely. I think perhaps any law whatsoever that impacts a ->-bleeped-<- gets our hackles up. This is a reasonable law, I think. It is an inconvienance, but that is not a valid argument.

The new policy would require an amended birth certificate. This requires going through the court system. Maryland code states that they will issue a birth certificate reflecting the proper gender only upon receipt of a certified copy of an order of from a court indicating that the sex of an individual born has been changed by surgical procedure and whether such individual's name has been changed. You cannot change the sex on a birth certificate simply by providing proof that you are undergoing medical treatment or procedures for gender reassignment.

as I said, the proposed law says after surgery.

Oh ok. I get it now. I am not the quikest on the uptake you now...