Arkansas residents will no longer have the option to utilize “gender neutral” gender markers on their state-issued identification cards, as announced by the state on Tuesday. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) clarified that driver’s licenses will now exclusively display “M” for male or “F” for female, eliminating the “X” gender marker option. Existing IDs with the “X” designation will remain valid until their expiration date.
DFA Secretary Jim Hudson emphasized the importance of basing state-issued licenses and IDs on objective, verifiable information, citing the necessity for accuracy and consistency in documents relied upon by various stakeholders. The decision aims to ensure that law enforcement, government agencies, caregivers, schools, and businesses can effectively utilize Arkansas-issued IDs to uphold community safety and combat fraud.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, expressed support for the policy change, framing it as a matter of common sense. Governor Sanders affirmed traditional notions of gender, stating, “Only women give birth, men shouldn’t play women’s sports, and there are only two genders.” She underscored her commitment to preventing state endorsement of what she described as “nonsense.”
In response to the policy shift, left-wing organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) voiced opposition, arguing that accurate identity documents are essential for individuals to engage in activities such as travel, employment, banking, and education. The ACLU emphasized the significance of IDs that reflect the true identity of transgender individuals, asserting that such documentation is crucial for their safety and well-being.
Arkansas joins Florida in implementing similar policies, with Florida also recently enacting measures to prohibit residents from altering the sex designation on their driver’s licenses to “X.” This move aligns with a broader conservative stance on gender identity and reflects a pushback against what some view as efforts to redefine traditional concepts of gender in official documentation.
