Florida's motor vehicle department recently voided the driver's license of transgender actor James Rose.
According to Fox News, James Rose's attempt to modify his gender designation through what he claimed to be a loophole using passport information led to the cancellation of his Florida driver's license by the authorities.
Known on TikTok as "Jamesissmiling," Rose shared a video on December 20, 2024, suggesting he had navigated around Florida's strict guidelines for altering the gender marker on driver’s licenses. He explained that by reporting a lost license and using a passport as his identification for a replacement, he managed to change his gender designation.
The loophole strategy was not well-received by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), which acted swiftly upon noticing Rose's claims. The department emphasized the legality and accuracy required in the issuing of driver’s licenses.
FLHSMV Deputy Executive Director Robert Kynoch contacted Rose, indicating that his newly issued license was improperly processed and thus had been voided. This decision highlights the state's rigid stance on such matters.
Furthermore, the department expressed concerns over the possibility of legal violations, suggesting Rose might have falsely claimed to have lost his license to exploit the described loophole. This prompted an ongoing investigation and audit by FLHSMV to prevent similar discrepancies in the future.
Bryan Griffin, Ron DeSantis's communications director, firmly stated there is no loophole for changing gender designation during driver's license renewal or replacement in Florida. According to state officials, meticulous accuracy is mandatory because driver's licenses represent legal documents reflecting truthful information.
The incident led FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner to issue reminders across the department concerning the accurate handling of gender designations on licenses, reinforcing the policy that no gender changes should occur unless aligned with state definitions of biological sex.
Rose expressed triumph and disbelief in his video about the successful change, indicating a clear challenge to state regulations:
This is not easy. You’re not even supposed to be able to do this in this state. Here’s the loophole, here’s the loophole. Listen up! If you’re replacing your driver’s license, not renewing it but replacing it because you ‘lost it,’ they have to take all of your information from what they consider a ‘primary document.’ A passport is considered a primary document, and you can self-identify on your passport which means, loophole, you can self-identify on your Florida driver’s license.
Social media exposure partially fueled FLHSMV's actions, swiftly directing the department's attention to the potential error. Officials advocate for stringent verification to mitigate against similar oversights.
FLHSMV clarified its policy last year by distributing explanations that gender changes on licenses are not permissible under Florida law. This aligns with the state's view that the term "gender" strictly refers to biological sex as observed at birth.
Several state officials supported this stance, emphasizing the importance of factual accuracy in such critical documents. Griffins’s public statements also highlighted Florida's commitment to truth and legal adherence.
With the weight of legal, procedural, and public expectations bearing down, the case of James Rose illustrates the tightrope trans individuals must walk in navigating bureaucratic systems. FLHSMV states that it remains committed to ensuring all driver’s license data aligns indisputably with state laws and policies, maintaining both compliance and quality assurance throughout its operations.
