Texas is still collecting data on people who try to change the gender on their driver’s license, but officials have not yet said why this happens or how that information will be used.
The Texas Department of Public Safety, which issues licenses, said it had “collected a list of 110 people who attempted to update their gender between August 2024 and August 2025.” texas newsroom, A joint project of several public radio stations. In August 2024, the state stopped allowing gender changes on licenses unless the error is corrected.
In March, the state recorded 42 attempts to change gender markers. Officials did not and still do not answer media questions about collecting this data at the time. texas newsroom I will report it.
LGBTQ+ and transgender activists are concerned. “Texans should not have their personal information collected without their knowledge, especially when the person collecting their personal information is unable or unwilling to say why they are collecting it,” Jessica Gonzalez, chair of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus, said in a statement. Defender. “Transgender and non-binary Texans are consistently targeted by harmful government overreach, hateful rhetoric, and violence simply because they live authentic lives. This unnecessary collection of personal information is dangerous and sets a terrifying precedent for state-sanctioned surveillance. [Gov.] Greg Abbott will turn against his Texas neighbor if he decides to. ”
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“The fact that the state is collecting this information raises a lot of red flags, not just in terms of people’s privacy and their ability to live without being under a magnifying glass,” said Landon Ritchie, policy coordinator for the Transgender Education Network of Texas. Texas Newsroom. He added that he wonders “how this information will be used in terms of drafting and creating additional legislation” to oppress transgender Texans.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who like Mr. Abbott is an extremely anti-LGBTQ+ Republican, requested data on the change in gender metrics two years ago, but the Department of Public Safety did not respond at the time. Public Safety spokesman Travis Considine said he “received a verbal request” from Paxton officials. washington post at that time. “Ultimately, our team informed the AG’s office that the requested data did not exist and could not accurately be produced. Therefore, no data of any kind was provided.” However, it appears that the data is now available.
Related: Texas expands lawsuit against doctors accused of providing gender-affirming care to young people
Texas has enacted several anti-trans laws in recent years, including banning gender-affirming care for trans minors. Restrict restroom use by transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people in government buildings. It forced public school teachers to name trans students and prohibited teachers from mentioning LGBTQ+ identities in class.
Mr. Abbott and Mr. Paxton tried to force parents who support their child’s gender transition to be investigated for child abuse, but the policy has largely been blocked while lawsuits against the policy move forward.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
