Hundreds of transgender activists and allies orchestrated die-ins at DMVs throughout Florida in protest of the recently announced policy change by the state’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that disallows transgender people from changing the gender marker on their state driver’s license to reflect their gender identity.
In a January letter detailing the policy shift, Robert Kynoch, deputy executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, states that transgender people “misrepresenting” their gender marker on their driver’s license by listing their gender identity could be guilty of fraud and face civil and criminal penalties.
“This HORRIFIC anti-LGBTQ+ policy change was directed by Robert Kynoch, Deputy Director of the FL DMV, in a department-wide memo,” the Youth Action Fund, which organized the DMV die-in protests, said on social media. “He ORDERED a BAN on accurate gender marker changes, contributing to TRANS ERASURE, while opening the door for potential suspension or “fraud” charges.”
According to the Youth Action Fund, demonstrators participating in die-ins remained motionless outside of DMVs for 37 minutes, symbolizing the 37 percent of transgender people in Florida who have experienced harassment as a result of an inaccurate gender marker.
“This protest may appear bleak, but it’s rooted in REALITY. Further marginalization of the transgender community can be DEADLY,” the Youth Action Fund said.
A report by the Williams Institute states that having IDs that list a gender marker that does not align with a transgender person’s gender identity can open them up to discrimination and harassment. In fact, without accurate IDs, transgender individuals may face obstacles when traveling, seeking employment, securing rentals, and interacting with law enforcement.
“Presenting inaccurate identification all too often becomes a trigger for various forms of abuse and discrimination,” a 2012 report by the Center for American Progress said. “Transgender people who may otherwise move through the world undetected by those who would discriminate against them are often ‘outed’ by an old gender marker, an old name, or an old photograph.”
Florida is the only state currently categorized as “do not travel” on transgender activist and journalist Erin Reed’s “anti-trans risk map.” According to Reed, Florida has eliminated 80 percent of transgender adult care, enforces a law that permits the arrest of transgender individuals for using bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity, and is one of five states that have made it a felony to provide gender-affirming care to transgender youth. Additionally, LGBTQ rights organizations like Equality Florida and the Human Rights Campaign have issued travel advisories for the state.
“Today, Equality Florida took the extraordinary step of issuing a travel advisory, warning of the risks posed to the health, safety, and freedom of those considering short or long term travel, or relocation to the state,” the organization said in a statement last April. “The move comes in response to a wave of safety inquiries Equality Florida has received following the passage of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community, restrict access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety laws, foment racial prejudice, and attack public education by banning books and censoring curriculum.”
In the face of Florida lawmakers’ relentless attacks on LGBTQ+ people, the die-ins orchestrated by queer Floridians who have chosen not to flee the state demonstrate the community’s steadfast refusal to be silenced.
“This UNPRECEDENTED show of RESISTANCE in Orlando, Miami, Tampa, and Gainesville makes one message EXTREMELY CLEAR: When trans rights are under attack in Florida, what do we do? STAND UP, FIGHT BACK,” the Youth Action Fund said.
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you. We hope that you, like us, can use this information to prepare for what’s to come.
And if you feel uncertain about what to do in the face of a second Trump administration, we invite you to be an indispensable part of Truthout’s preparations.
In addition to covering the widespread onslaught of draconian policy, we’re shoring up our resources for what might come next for progressive media: bad-faith lawsuits from far-right ghouls, legislation that seeks to strip us of our ability to receive tax-deductible donations, and further throttling of our reach on social media platforms owned by Trump’s sycophants.
We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
We urgently need your help to prepare. As you know, our December fundraiser is our most important of the year and will determine the scale of work we’ll be able to do in 2025. We’ve set two goals: to raise $145,000 in one-time donations and to add 1489 new monthly donors by midnight on December 31.
Today, we’re asking all of our readers to start a monthly donation or make a one-time donation – as a commitment to stand with us on day one of Trump’s presidency, and every day after that, as we produce journalism that combats authoritarianism, censorship, injustice, and misinformation. You’re an essential part of our future – please join the movement by making a tax-deductible donation today.
If you have the means to make a substantial gift, please dig deep during this critical time!
With gratitude and resolve,
Maya, Negin, Saima, and Ziggy