“Your Papers Pleases!”

Some trans-people fear these words because it has become a nightmare in some states to change your ID. In West Virginia two trans-women are suing the state DMV because even though they have transitioned the DMV wanted them to look more masculine on their driver licenses. CNN reported that,

Two West Virginia transgender women claim their recent DMV visits were especially harrowing as they attempted to update their names and change their driver's license photos.

In separate incidents, both recount officials telling them their appearance looked too feminine for a driver's license issued to a male and that they would have to dress down for their photos.

Meanwhile in Kansas the problem is voting, the Topeka Capital-Journal said in an article,

Hanson, a transgender Kansan, said she is loathe to let her gender identity be vetted by a random poll worker.

"My identification and my ability to vote should not be up to the subjective interpretation of anyone,” Hanson said.
[…]
Witt said others have called his organization to ask about their voting rights, but “everybody is reluctant to be public about this, because there is no protection against discrimination based on gender identity in this state.”

Kay Curtis is a spokeswoman for Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who spearheaded the voter ID laws.

Curtis said potential voters are allowed to present a second ID with a more current picture, that doesn’t have to be government-issued, such as a Sam's Club membership card.

Curtis also said a government ID on which the gender doesn’t match shouldn’t be a problem because the law specifically instructs poll workers to consider only the name and appearance.

I was questioned once at the polling place once. I was asked if my driver license was mine, the photo on my license matches to appearance and the gender says female. We just stared at each other when I said yes for about thirty seconds and then he said “well I guess it is OK.”

IDs are not just an American problem, on the other side of the globe in India it is also a problem. The Times of India reported,

MUMBAI: The transgender community in Maharashtra wants to be officially recognized as 'transgenders' or 'third gender', rather than be labeled as 'others' on electoral rolls. Deputy chief election commissioner H S Brahma, however, refused to replace 'others' with any term.

The community has become more vocal after a Supreme Court order recognized transgenders or hijras, pointing out that it was one of the apex court's directives to issue government documents identifying them as transgenders or hijras.
[…]
MTPS convenor Laxmi Tripathi said the term 'others' made it seem like they were furniture or animals. Tripathi said the state women and child welfare department had promised to set up a Hijra Welfare Board to address issues of transgenders. Tripathi said the assurance was given before the SC order gave legal recognition to the third gender in April.