Michigan updates policy for changing gender on license, ID

DETROIT (AP) — Michigan has changed its policy on requiring an amended birth certificate to change an individual's gender on a state driver's license or identification.

The change comes after six transgender people living in the state sued Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union. They argued residents' constitutional privacy rights were being violated by state policy.

The Detroit News reports (http://detne.ws/1U6S12v ) the Michigan attorney general's office, which represents Johnson in the case, says the new policy allows U.S. passports or passport cards to be used to change gender on IDs.

The ACLU wants a better policy and is continuing with the lawsuit.

The Secretary of State's office had required the information listed on a driver's license to match information on the applicant's birth certificate.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Gayly - 3/16/2016 @ 10:29 a.m. CST