I'm federally female now, or is it legally female?

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

I'm either Federally Female, Legally Female or Officially Female. One of those 3.

My endocrinologist came through with the letter he was supposed to write me months ago. Under a new Florida statute, persons who have been diagnosed as transexual and are currently undergoing hormone replacement therapy can have their prescribing doctor write a letter and you can have your gender marker on your license changed from M to F.

Of course changing anything on your license is no simple task, oh no! You need to supply proof of who you are, proof of where you live, of course since mine is a commercial license I also had to provide my DOT medical card.

So I marched down to the DMV office with letter and documents in hand..well...in purse..and checked in at the information desk where they gave me designation D-246. About 5 minutes later I was called up to window 11 and I told the nice lady what needed to be done and she proceeded to scan stuff and ask questions and do the quick vision test and then collect $30-some dollars from me for the reissue fee and..oh yeah...have to take an updated picture with our special camera designed to highlight your double chin and make you look hideous, despite how pretty you look right now.

But I walked out of there with a new license (new number too, but oh well) and instead of M for Gender, I now have a F!

What's really odd is that you'd think I'd be jumping up and down with joy and overly excited but I'm really not. When I saw my new license for the first time, seeing me listed as Female made me smile. I was thinking "Finally. It's official." Now whenever I need to show my ID I don't have to worry about them looking at that big ugly M, because now there's a pretty F there instead. While I may not be biologically female, I'm officially female and legally on the team. That makes me happy.

[Carolyn Marie]

Big CONGRATS to you, Lizzie. A well deserved honor, title, and letter. Use it in good health.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Charlize]

That is great news. You must be thrilled. I'm looking forward to my F someday. I have to wait to do anything official until NJ passes a equal marriage bill or the court does it. Until then my family has too much to loose.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Guest Megan_Lynn]

grats...

[VickySGV]

It is a bit on the surreal to see the DL in your hand with the right designation on it. No handsprings, no fast dancing jigs, just a piece of plastic, that you place in your wallet. But it does feel good!!!

[Guest]

Hi Lizzie,

It's two years ago tomorrow that I did my first foray into the name/gender change. I think the DL gender marker came a couple weeks after my name change. To me, that "M" stood out larger than life on the driver's license and I was never so relieved to have it gone.

A few days ago, I received my first Medicare ID and that "M" was even more prominent on it. Due to a difficult social security department here, I finally am ready tomorrow - and, two years after the first name change, I should be finally federally female. Far out!

It is a big thing, I think. Now, whether you're born female or not is your own business. All of those public things have the only answer anyone ever needs to know.

Enjoy!

Love, Megan

[Guest Leah1026]

Congrats on your new ID!

I'm either Federally Female, Legally Female or Officially Female. One of those 3.

Technically your legal sex is defined by what's on your birth certificate. But how often does anyone have to show that? For most everyday transactions your driver's license is what people want to see.

A recent change to Social Security allows changes to the gender field of your records. However, the rules are a little complex so I'll let you read them here:

http://transgenderlawcenter.org/archives/8339

Notice one of the accepted documents that will be accepted is a passport. Which, thanks to the Obama admistration, can be be obtained without surgery. Also note that another document that's accepted is a letter from a physician; it no longer needs to be from a surgeon.

Hope this helps.

[Guest sophia.gentry58]

I'm so happy for you Liz!

Sophia

[Cyndee]

That's really good news Lizzie, congrats !

Presenting that ID with the F on it feels really good, have to say.

Hugs

Cyndi -

(nice to hear about FL rules and the 21st century)

[Guest Robin Winter]

Congratulations

[Guest Rainatgirl]

That's wonderful, congratulations!!!!

I can't wait tell I get to that point.

[Guest Carla_Davis]

Hi Lizzie,

Conratulations on the Gender Changes.

I also changed my DVM-ID Card and Social Security card last week.

The only reason that It took so long was that I waited for the Social Security change not requiring surgery.

I Legally changed my name in 2008.

Hugs,

Carla

[Guest Billie De]

Grats Lizzie.. I know the feeling.. I just picked up my Court order today for my Name change.. Heading to SS office in the morning to change that, then over to the DMV for the new license.

I can't wait to get carded again coming out of the Walmart Ladies room and being able to shove this down their Bigoted thoughts. (Long story)

[Guest LizMarie]

Congratulations, Lizzie!

[Guest Kaylee234]

I really hate that camera. But congrats on your new license!

~ K

[Guest jamiejcmo]

Congrats Lizzie. It is such a great feeling not having to worry about anybody questioning you anymore. I recently completed changing all my documents(DL, Birth Certificate, and Social Security). Keep smiling.

Jamie

[Guest Lizzie McTrucker]

Interestingly enough, I made a trip into and out of Canada with no problems and no issues, despite the gender on my passport still showing M.

That's the only form of ID I need to show when crossing so if it's still valid and it works, then I'll just keep it that way until I have to change it.

I mean I guess I could change it and get an updated picture but I dunno...

[Cyndee]

That's interesting Lizzie.

I still have "his" passport, and we get up to Canada fairly often. I think I am gonna update mine here soon, I want the "F" on my gender marker for it. I have all the forms in place now for it, just need the pix and $110.

Have fun on the road

Cyndi -

[Guest Alexthecat]

Grats Lizzie.. I know the feeling.. I just picked up my Court order today for my Name change.. Heading to SS office in the morning to change that, then over to the DMV for the new license.

I can't wait to get carded again coming out of the Walmart Ladies room and being able to shove this down their Bigoted thoughts. (Long story)

Walmart has trans protections so they should know better.