May 10, 2023

Rokita appeals ruling on nonbinary gender marker for licenses, IDs

Listen at IPB News

Article origination IPB News
Attorney General Todd Rokita appealed a county judge's ruling that would have required the BMV to allow a nonbinary gender marker for driver's licenses and IDs.  - Brandon Smith/IPB News

Attorney General Todd Rokita appealed a county judge's ruling that would have required the BMV to allow a nonbinary gender marker for driver's licenses and IDs.

Brandon Smith/IPB News

A judge’s ruling from late last year would allow people to use a nonbinary gender marker – X – on their driver’s licenses through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Attorney General Todd Rokita is appealing that ruling, trying to stop such gender markers.

The BMV first adopted a policy of allowing nonbinary gender markers on licenses and IDs in 2019. But it quickly halted that after then-Attorney General Curtis Hill issued an opinion that said such a policy would need General Assembly approval.

READ MORE: BMV hears public comment on driver's license gender change proposal

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on statewide issues.

A group of anonymous Hoosiers sued. And in December 2022, they won when a Monroe County judge ruled that the BMV’s denial of a nonbinary gender marker violated the federal constitution.

Rokita wants to reverse that ruling, pursuing an appeal with the Indiana Court of Appeals.

There is no current timetable for when the court will hear the case.

Brandon is our Statehouse bureau chief. Contact him at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Copyright 2023 IPB News. To see more, visit IPB News.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

 

Related News

Indiana Supreme Court asks lawmakers for money to invest in court security statewide
Forest Alliance book 'EcoBlitz' looks at diverse species in state forests, argues for old growth
Jim Banks pledges to be 'conservative fighter for Indiana' in U.S. Senate