Texas state officials have continued collecting information on transgender residents who sought to update the gender marker on their driver’s licenses, according to reports from multiple outlets. The practice has intensified concerns among advocates and lawmakers about privacy, transparency, and the potential misuse of sensitive personal data.
Records obtained through public information requests show that between August 2024 and August 2025, employees at Texas Department of Public Safety offices were instructed to report individuals requesting gender marker changes on driver’s licenses to a centralized email account. The list included names and license numbers, though identifying details were later redacted when documents were released publicly. State officials have not clearly explained why the list was created or how it may be used.
The data collection coincided with a policy change implemented by the Texas Department of Public Safety in August 2024. Under the revised policy, DPS stopped allowing changes to the sex listed on driver’s licenses except in cases of clerical error. Court orders and amended birth certificates, which had previously been accepted, are no longer sufficient to update the gender marker on state identification.
Advocates for transgender Texans say the existence of a list targeting people based on gender identity-related requests is alarming. They argue that collecting such data without a clear legal purpose or public explanation risks exposing individuals to discrimination, harassment, or worse. For many transgender people, accurate identification is critical for employment, housing, travel, and personal safety.
Members of the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus have also raised questions about the practice. Lawmakers have emphasized that no Texans should have their personal information tracked simply for attempting to align government documents with their identity. They have called on state agencies to clarify what information is being collected, who has access to it, and how long it will be retained.
The issue arises amid a broader shift in Texas policy related to gender and identity. In recent legislative sessions, lawmakers have passed measures defining sex in state law using narrow biological criteria and limiting how gender can be recognized on official documents. Civil rights groups say these changes disproportionately impact transgender residents and erode long-standing privacy protections.
The Department of Public Safety has not stated whether the list of gender marker requests has been shared with other agencies or officials. In response to media inquiries, the agency has provided limited information, declining to detail the purpose of the data collection or its current status.
Privacy advocates warn that government-maintained lists connected to gender identity can create significant risks. They note that similar registries in other contexts have historically been misused or expanded beyond their original scope. Even without immediate harm, the knowledge that such data exists can discourage people from seeking lawful updates to their identification.
For transgender Texans, the situation has added to a growing sense of uncertainty. Many say the combination of restrictive policies and opaque data practices has created fear around routine interactions with state agencies. Advocacy organizations continue to press for transparency, stronger privacy safeguards, and policies that respect the dignity and safety of all residents.
As scrutiny of the practice grows, calls are increasing for Texas officials to explain why the information was collected and to ensure that personal data related to gender identity is not used in ways that could endanger or marginalize transgender people.
