On Tuesday the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration announced that state-issued driver’s licenses and photo IDs would list “male” or “female” as stated on the ID-holder’s birth certificate.
The revised policy prevents ID-holders from changing the gender on their ID without documentation. It also eliminates the option of listing an “X” in place of “male” or “female.” This will better safeguard the integrity of driver’s licenses and other photo IDs the State of Arkansas issues.
In a press release, state officials said,
Effective immediately, DFA is rescinding its existing administrative practice that allows license holders to change their gender without any verifiable information, or to utilize an “X” in lieu of gender. This action restores DFA’s long-standing policy that license and ID holders must display a gender of “male” or “female,” as indicated on an original or amended birth certificate.
“This policy is just common sense. Only women give birth, men shouldn’t play women’s sports, and there are only two genders. As long as I’m Governor, Arkansas state government will not endorse nonsense,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
All previously issued licenses and IDs with the “X” designation will remain valid through the existing expiration date. Updates will take place at renewal.
Arkansas law makes it possible to change a birth certificate — including the sex listed on a birth certificate, if the person’s name legally has been changed and the person has undergone a surgical sex-change procedure. Practically speaking, the driver’s license policy announced Tuesday will ensure people follow this process outlined in state law if they want to change the gender listed on a driver’s license.
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