Trans people are fleeing Kansas over demands to surrender IDs

"I'm pretty heartbroken. It is a continuation of the message that the Legislature has been sending out for years now, and that is that transgender people are not welcome in Kansas."

"The midwestern state revoked more than 1,700 IDs this month after handing letters to thousands of citizens demanding they surrender their driving licences. It comes after lawmakers passed SB244, a sweeping anti-trans bill banning Kansans from using public toilets and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity."

"In response, the Kansas Division of Vehicles informed trans residents that their licences were now "invalid immediately" and must be exchanged for new licences documenting their birth sex. Those who continue to drive without surrendering the licences could face "additional penalties", including a $1,000 fine or even imprisonment."

Kansas revoked more than 1,700 driving licenses from trans residents after passing SB244, legislation that prohibits transgender and non-binary individuals from using public toilets and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. The bill also enables residents to file bounty-style lawsuits against anyone suspected of being transgender in such facilities. The Kansas Division of Vehicles declared existing licenses "invalid immediately" and required trans residents to exchange them for new licenses documenting their birth sex. Failure to comply risks fines up to $1,000 or imprisonment. Multiple trans Kansans report plans to relocate, citing the hostile legislative environment, though some remain committed to challenging the law.

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