SOPHIE HUMMEL / CONTRIBUTOR

A new piece of legislation impacting gender rights recently took effect in Kansas. Senate Bill 244 (SB 244), now a Kansas law, took effect in the state on Feb. 26. The law  immediately invalidated Kansas driver’s licenses and state-issued identification with a listed gender marker different from that assigned at birth. No grace period was extended to affected individuals. SB 244 also requires transgender individuals to use facilities labeled with their assigned sex at birth in all government buildings. 

Discussions surrounding the new legislation’s impact on voting are increasing. Kansas is one of 13 states in the U.S. that has strict photo ID laws for voters. With an ID required to cast a ballot, an estimated 22,000 adult transgender Kansans will need to overcome voting obstacles this fall and beyond. 

The legislation may cause violence and discrimination toward transgender individuals.

USD sophomore Caroline Matthews is from Kansas and felt frustrated by the new legislation. 

“Our IDs give us the ability to vote, travel and handle other sorts of things like that… Honestly, it just really impacts people,” Matthews explained. “It should be understood that this really affects people’s everyday life and we don’t even take into account the privilege of having an ID in general. So, having that stripped away, I think it’s just important for people to know that’s taking away someone’s entire livelihood.” 

Matthews said she hopes conversations on the topic will extend beyond state lines.

“So I feel like above all, it’s just important for  people  to  understand here at USD, to be knowledgeable about it,” Matthews stated.

The law applies not only to restrooms but to any multiple-occupancy private space. This includes, but is not limited to, a restroom, locker room, changing room or shower room. There are a few exceptions to the law, only allowing entrance into the restroom for custodial purposes, assisting someone who needs help using the restroom or for children under the age of nine years old accompanying a caregiver.

There are civil and criminal penalties for those who violate this law. The legislation allows some people to sue for damages if they deem their privacy violated by a transgender person who enters a single-sex space in a government building. This marks the first time a U.S. state has reversed a policy that allowed transgender residents to change the gender marker on their identification documents. Additionally, it is the first time a state has allowed for restroom regulations to become private lawsuits.

The   impact   of   SB  244    continues to unfold and prompts additional   conversations   on   human rights and civil policy in the U.S.

Kansas drivers licenses were invalidated without gender assigned at birth printed. Photo courtesy of @achernenko/Unsplash