Pa. Allows Driver's License to Reflect Gender Change

Pennsylvania has quietly joined more than two dozen other states in allowing transgendered people to put their new gender on their driver's license.

KYW's John Ostapkovich reports that this affects those who have not had sex change surgery but are otherwise living as a member of the other sex.

Ted Martin, executive director of Equality Pennsylvania, says no one can take advantage of the new policy simply on a whim, since the person must enlist a licensed caregiver such as a doctor or social worker:

"To sign the form, a caregiver has to be willing to risk perjury if they lie. You know, your license number is recorded on the form. To the best of my knowledge, there have been no violations of this in any one the 26 states and the District of Columbia anywhere in the country."

Martin says he doesn't know how many people this would affect, but he knows they're out there because they pushed advocacy groups for the change.

The American Family Association of Pennsylvania thinks this is a bad idea, saying Penndot is no longer being honest about the gender of the people it licenses.