The Youth Action Fund claimed that although this opposition does seem hopeless, it is grounded in reality.
In Florida, hundreds of trans activists and supporters organized die-ins at DMVs in opposition to the recently announced policy change by the state’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that forbids transgender individuals from changing the sex symbol on their state drivers’ licenses to reveal their gender identity.
Trans people may be found guilty of fraud and subject to civil and criminal penalties if they “misrepresent” their sex symbol on their driver’s license by listing it, according to Robert Kynoch, deputy executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in a letter outlining the policy change.
The Youth Action Fund, which organized the DMV die-in protests, posted on social media, “This HORRIFIC anti-LGBTQ+ policy change was directed by Robert Kynoch, Deputy Director of the FLDMV, in a department-wide memo.” He “ORDERED a BAN on accurate gender marker changes, contributing to Transgender Erasure, while opening the door for potential expulsion or ‘fraud’ charges.”
The 37% of transgender individuals in Florida who have experienced abuse as a result of an inaccurate gender marker were represented by the protesters who took part in die-ins who stood still outside of DMVs for 37 minutes, according to the Youth Action Fund.
This opposition might seem hopeless, but it’s grounded in reality. According to the Youth Action Fund, more alienation of the trans community could be fatal.
A transgender person may be subject to discrimination and harassment if their IDs list a gender marker that does not correspond to their gender identity, according to research from the Williams Institute. In fact, transgender people may encounter difficulties when traveling, looking for work, finding rentals, and interacting with law enforcement without appropriate IDs.
According to a 2012 review by the Center for American Progress, “Presenting false identification all too often becomes elicited for various types of abuse and discrimination.” “Trans people who might otherwise go unnoticed by those who would discriminate against them are frequently ‘outed’ by an outdated gender symbol, name, or photograph.”
On the “anti-trans risk map” by transgender activist and journalist Erin Reed, Florida is the only state currently listed as “do not go.” According to Reed, Florida is one of five states that has made it a crime to offer gender-affirming care to transgender children, and it has abolished 80% of the practice. Florida also upholds the law that allows for the arrest of people who use restrooms that match their gender identity. Also, the state has received go recommendations from LGBTQ rights groups like Equality Florida and the Human Rights Campaign.
Equality Florida “took the unusual step of issuing a travel advisory, warning of the risks posed to the wellness, safety, and freedom of those considering short- or long-term travel, or relocation into the state,” the organization stated in an April statement. “The action is in response to a flood of safety complaints that Equality Florida has received in light of the passage of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community, limit access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety legislation, incite racial prejudice, and attack public education by banning books and banning curriculum.”
The die-ins planned by gay Floridians who have decided not to leave the state show the community’s resolute refusal to be silenced in the face of Florida legislators’ relentless attacks on LGBTQ+ individuals.
When transgender rights are under attack in Florida, what should we do? This UNPRECEDENTED display of RESISTANCE in Orlando, Miami, Tampa, and Gainesville makes one text EXTREMELY Clear. FIGHT BACK, STAND UP, the Youth Action Fund advised.
