June 27, 2007 12:34 AM BST
The Real ID act goes hand in hand with another policy proposed under Homeland Security legislation, the Social Security Administration Gender no-match policy. Information concerning this can be found at:
http://nctequality.org/Is[...]tch.asp
Details of how the Real ID act affects transgender people can be viewed here, about halfway down the page, in an article describing the original passing and signing into law of the Real ID act.
http://nctequality.org/news.asp
Basically, what's happening now under the guise of immigration reform, is the acceleration of enactment of the Real ID act, in an effort to circumvent efforts by opponents to repeal the law, which was set to be fully implemented by 2009. Essentially, this creates further obstacles to people in transition who need to change their gender marker on their ID documents.
None of this is intended to specifically hinder transgender people, but the effect is still an unnecessary hassle, and inconsistent with the Health Information Privacy Protection Act.
OK, so maybe some people would rather not participate in the political process. If that's the case, I suggest that any transgender person who intends to file a name change petition or change their gender marker do so right away before it becomes way more difficult to do. I know I intend to.
Also, with regard to obtaining a passport, it's not necessary to have the intent of travelling abroad to get a passport. Fact is, it's a more durable substitute for a birth certificate for proof of citizenship when filing an I-9 form with a new employer, obtaining a driver's license, social security card, or even opening a bank account. As long as the infrastructure already exists for this standardized national form of ID, why not require American citizens to obtain one, rather than setting up a whole new cumbersome beaurocracy? Are there really that many krispy kreme eatin' semi literate clerk types in need of work?
Well done, Bennie! Encouraging to see that there are those who are willing to participate in Democracy.