LITTLE ROCK, Ark.– Several transgender, intersex, and nonbinary Arkansas residents sued the state of Arkansas on Tuesday over its decision to no longer allow “X” instead of male or female on state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas asked a Pulaski County judge to halt the state’s decision to reverse a practice that had been in place since 2010. The new emergency rule will also make it harder for a person to change their sex on the cards.
The state Department of Finance and Administration announced the change last month, and a legislative panel approved an emergency rule carrying it out. The lawsuit argues that the state did not follow the proper steps for implementing the rule, including a 30-day notice and public comment period.
Attorney General Tim Griffin said his office was reviewing the lawsuit and looked forward to defending the DFA in court. Jim Hudson, the department’s secretary, said it planned to “vigorously” defend the rule in court.
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