Missouri now requiring proof of surgery to change gender on IDs

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

A QUIET MOVE JUST MADE IT HARDER FOR MISSOURI RESIDENTS TO CHANGE THEIR GENDER ON THEIR DRIVER’S LICENSE.

IT USED TO BE ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS FILL OUT A GENDER DESIGNATION CHANGE REQUEST FORM AND GET IT APPROVED BY A PHYSICIAN, THERAPIST, OR SOCIAL WORKER. 

NOW – THE FORM IS NOT NEEDED… BUT THEY’LL HAVE TO PROVE THEY’VE HAD TRANSITIONING SURGERY OR GET A COURT ORDER TO MAKE THE CHANGE, UNDER A NEW DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE RULE. 

MISSOURI LGBTQ+ RIGHTS ADVOCACY GROUP PROMO ARE CALLING ON THE DEPARTMENT’S DIRECTOR TO EXPLAIN THE “SUDDEN SHIFT IN POLICY.”

IT’S ALSO LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO FILE REPORTS IF THEY’RE STRUGGLING TO GET THEIR NAME OR GENDER MARKER CHANGED. 

THE MOVE COMES AFTER SOME REPUBLICAN STATE LAWMAKERS QUESTIONED THE OLD POLICY ON GENDER IDENTIFICATIONS FOLLOWING PROTESTS AND COUNTER PROTESTS EARLIER THIS MONTH – OVER A TRANSGENDER WOMAN’S USE OF WOMEN’S CHANGING ROOMS AT A SUBURBAN ST. LOUIS GYM.