Transgender drivers in Kansas have had their licenses invalidated under a new state law that went into effect on Thursday, which requires residents to change their gender identification to the sex they were assigned at birth.
The notice from the state’s Department of Revenue was mailed to the roughly 1,700 drivers after the Legislature’s GOP supermajority voted to prohibit documents from listing any sex other than the one assigned at birth.
“Please note that the Legislature did not include a grace period for updating credentials,” the state agency wrote, according to the Kansas City Star.
“That means that once the law is officially enacted, your current credentials will be invalid immediately, and you may be subject to additional penalties if you are operating a vehicle without a valid credential.”
While Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, vetoed the legislation, Republican lawmakers easily overrode the objection last week.
“It’s all happening very quickly, and my heart is broken for anyone who this is directly impacting,” LGBTQ activist Jae Moyer told the Star.
“This bill that the Republicans forced through the Legislature so quickly is doing nothing by causing a problem that doesn’t exist,” the Johnson County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition member added.
But Republican Chase Blaisi, the state senate majority leader, said President Trump’s election triumph in 2024 proves voters are looking “to return to common sense.”
“When I go home, people believe there are just two sexes, male and female,” Blasi said.
“It’s basic biology I learned in high school.”
The state’s Department of Revenue noted in its letter that once transgender drivers give up their current credentials, officials will issue a new card “consistent with the statutory requirements,” according to the Star.
The newly enacted law is among several measures Republicans in the Sunflower State have taken in recent years related to transgender people.
Other measures include restricting which bathrooms, locker rooms and single-sex facilities transgender people can use.
With Post wires
