Representational pic
Chase Culpepper wears cosmetics and androgynous or traditionally female clothing every day. When Culpepper applied for her first driver's license and passed the tests last year, the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) employees refused to take her photograph, telling her she had to 'go home' and 'take off the makeup,' according to reports.
When Culpepper allegedly requested the SCDIMV employees to let her wear her makeup, the authorities were rude to her, while the public laughed at her. The agency also cited a 2009 rule which bans license photos when someone is purposefully altering his or her appearance. After several attempts, Culpepper says the makeup was removed to the satisfaction of DMV employees, and a license photo was ultimately taken.
The 17-year-old felt humiliated and filed a law suit against SCDIMV last September with the help of Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, an organisation which works for transgender rights, accusing SCDMV of sex discrimination and violating her free speech in the federal court.
Culpepper settled the lawsuit only after the state agency agreed to handle such cases differently. The 17-year-old stated that she was pleased with the settlement which also includes a requirement that the DMV officially apologises to her and allows her to take a license photo with her every day makeup.
The State agency has now agreed to alter its policy to allow people to wear make up in photos regardless of their gender. Agency employees will also get training on how to handle transgender customers and people who don't identify with either gender.
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