Sixteen year old, Chase Culpepper, considers himself “gender non-conforming” and he wears make-up everyday, well, except the day he has to take a picture that will end of on his ID until he turns 21. When he went into the DMV for what should be every 16 year old’s most exciting day, he was humiliated by being forced to take off his make-up for his license picture because he was said to have been “wearing a disguise.” Now Chase is fighting back, find out more after the jump!
As the world becomes more accepting of transgenders and those who practice their right to express themselves when it comes down to their sex, the intolerance of those who look down upon such practices comes to light. Unfortunately, Chase Culpepper was a victim to that very intolerance when he went down to the DMV in Anderson, S.C. to get his license.
“She said that I could not wear a disguise to take my photo, and according to her, me wearing makeup would be a disguise and that I did not look like a boy should,” Chase told WYFF News.
Should society’s perception of gender roles determine what Chase “should” look like? “It was very hurtful. He was absolutely devastated. That’s who he is 24/7,” said Teresea Culpepper, the teen’s mother.
The rule against disguises is meant to suppress criminal activity and says:
At no time will an applicant be photographed when it appears that he or she is purposely altering his or her appearance so that the photo would misrepresent his or her identity.
It’s highly doubtful that a 16 year old with some make-up on is trying to misrepresent his identity, in fact it seems pretty much like the opposite. Michael Silverman, executive director of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, had this to say in a letter straight to the Anderson DMV:
Chase’s freedom to express his gender should not be restricted by DMV staff. He is entitled to be who he is and to express that without interference from government actors. Forcing Chase to remove his makeup prior to taking his driver’s license photo restricts his free speech rights in violation of state and federal constitutional protections.
Chase wants to retake his license picture and he and his mother are considering legal action to challenge the DMV for their gender discrimination. Do you think he should be allowed to retake his photo? Let us know!
