September 5, 2014
By James Queally
...The agency argued that Culpepper was, (click here) in effect, attempting to disguise his appearance by not appearing as a male.
The New York-based Transgender Legal Defence and Education Fund called on the DMV to allow Chase to retake the picture in June, but the agency has not responded to multiple requests to quash the issue, according to the lawsuit.
The suit, which was filed by the teenager’s mother on his behalf in federal court on Tuesday, contends the DMV’s policies are unconstitutional and calls for a court order to allow Chase to dress how he wants for a future photo.
‘‘Chase is entitled to be himself and to express his gender non-conformity without interference from the South Carolina DMV,’’ Transgender Legal Defence and Education Fund Executive Director Michael Silverman said in a statement released on Tuesday. ‘‘It is not the role of the DMV or any government agency or employee to decide how men and women should look.’’...
