Kansas judge says transgender rights not violated by state's refusal to change sex on driver's licenses

A Kansas judge sided with Attorney General Kris Kobach in ruling that transgender rights are not violated by refusing to change sex on driver's licenses.

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"The Attorney General asserts that the threat of injury to the State of Kansas pending a final decision on the merits is that driver’s licenses are issued for a period of six years and are difficult to take back or out of circulation once issued. Licenses are used by law enforcement to identify criminal suspects, crime victims, wanted persons, missing persons, and others," Watson wrote. "Compliance with stated legal requirements for identifying license holders is a public safety concern. Allowing KDOR to issue non-compliant driver’s licenses pending a final decision on the merits is an immediate and irreparable injury."

In 2023, Kansas’ Republican-controlled legislature passed what’s known as Senate Bill 180, or the "Women’s Bill of Rights," with wide margins and later overrode Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto. It became law last July and defines biological sex as either male or female at birth.