Austin, TX – August 22, 2024: As of Tuesday, the Texas Department of Public Safety will no longer accept court orders or amended birth certificates from people who want to change their “gender” on their driver’s license. The new rule, sent via email, went into effect immediately on August 20, and information on how to change your “gender” on an ID card or driver’s license has been removed from the DPS website. According to media reports, the DPS was directed by Governor Greg Abbott to make the change.
Mary Elizabeth Castle, director of government relations at Texas Values, said:
“We are grateful that our governor is directing state agencies to stop issuing false and misleading identification cards that change a person’s ‘sex’ based on perceived gender identity. This is a step in the right direction to ensure that our government and society affirms what a woman is and protects gender-based rights based on biology.”
Prior to this regulation, a person could change their “gender” on official documents with a court order: no proof of gender reassignment surgery was required. The ability to change gender on official documents to align gender identity has led to a number of problems, including men participating in women’s sports competitions, entering private spaces and women’s homeless shelters, and accessing services specifically designed for women. Changing “gender” on ID cards was also an issue discussed during legislative hearings on the issue of gender reassignment procedures for minors and other similar legislation.
KUT has a copy of the letter sent to DPS employees. You can find it here.
Members of Texas Values’ legal and policy team are available for comment. To schedule an interview, email Ashley at [email protected] or call or text 737-314-2450.
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About Texas Values
Texas Values is the largest statewide nonprofit organization advocating for faith, family and freedom in Texas. For more information, visit txvalues.org.
