News & Commentary

D.C. Heigert, an attorney at the ACLU of Kansas, said a ban on gender-affirming care would prove especially damaging as the trans community in Kansas is already suffering from the effects of restrictions passed last year.

Earlier this past summer, in the ACLU of Kansas’ report about the historical and social significance of the Quindaro settlement, we talked about the aspirational Kansas we fear too many residents here have forgotten.

Sharon Brett, legal director of ACLU of Kansas, argued in a 60-page document submitted to the Shawnee County District Court that Attorney General Kris Kobach’s mistaken interpretation of how a new state law applied to driver’s licenses could result in violation of rights.

The new Monday filing from the ACLU of Kansas sets the stage for a January hearing in Shawnee County District Court on a July request from Attorney General Kris Kobach for a temporary injunction to continue blocking gender marker changes.

The ACLU of Kansas, representing five transgender Kansans who want to get or keep a driver’s license that matches their gender identity, has intervened in this lawsuit. “Mr. Kobach’s actions demonstrate a flagrant attempt to do an end-run around our state constitution,” said Sharon Brett.

Last month, the ACLU of Kansas sent a letter to local election officials urging them to allow transgender people to vote, regardless of the gender marker on their driver's licenses and other forms of ID.

"This policy change is devastating news for the trans community in Kansas, as accurate, affirming identity documents are crucial for the health, safety, and wellbeing of trans people," said D.C. Hiegert, an LGBTQ+ legal fellow at the ACLU.

DC Hiegert, LGBTQ legal fellow for the ACLU of Kansas, stated that one of the best ways to support the trans community during this time is to take action by providing aid and resources for those in need.

The constitutional avoidance defense that we're raising in this case certainly requires the attorney general to contend with arguments that he did not want to contend with and was not planning on contending with when he filed this mandamus action," she said.