Transgender Woman Sues Tennessee for Refusing to Change Sex on Driver's License

A transgender woman in Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against the state's Department of Safety and Homeland Security after officials refused to change the sex designation on her driver's license to match her gender identity. The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of the plaintiff identified as Jane Doe, claims that the department acted illegally by updating its policies without following the state's Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.

According to the lawsuit, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security previously allowed individuals to change the sex designator on their driver's license by providing a statement from a doctor. However, this policy changed after the state legislature passed a law in May 2021 that defined "sex" as a person's "immutable biological sex as determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of birth."

The plaintiff argues that the department's new policy, which no longer permits changes to the sex designator on Tennessee driver's licenses, violates her constitutional rights to privacy, free speech, equal protection, and due process. The lawsuit alleges that the policy change was implemented without the required public notice and comment period mandated by the state's administrative procedures act.

Why this matters: This case highlights the ongoing legal battles and discrimination faced by transgender individuals seeking to have their gender identity acknowledged on official documents. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the rights of transgender people in Tennessee and potentially set a precedent for similar cases in other states.

The ACLU, representing Jane Doe, is asking the court to declare the department's new policy void and to reverse the denial of the plaintiff's request to change the sex designation on her driver's license. "I just want my ID to reflect who I am and not put me in dangerous situations when I have to show it," Jane Doe said in a statement released by the ACLU. "I'm a woman, and I shouldn't have to endanger myself every time I present my driver's license."

Comparable legal challenges have been filed in other states, with a recent ruling in Kansas upholding the state's policy of not changing driver's license gender markers to match an individual's gender identity. As the lawsuit against the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security progresses, it will be closely watched by advocates for transgender rights and those on both sides of the issue.

Key Takeaways

• Transgender woman in TN sues state over refusal to change sex on driver's license
• TN law defines "sex" as immutable biological sex at birth, ending prior policy
• Lawsuit claims policy violates constitutional rights, implemented without proper procedures
• Outcome could set precedent for transgender rights on official documents in other states
• Similar legal challenges have had mixed results, with Kansas upholding its policy