Transexual Teen Fights Over The Important Things: Wins Right To Wear Makeup At The DMV

NBCNews- A South Carolina transgender teen has won the right to wear makeup in her driver's license photo as part of a settlement with the state's Department of Motor Vehicles announced on Wednesday.

As part of the settlement, South Carolina's DMV will alter its policies to allow people to take driver's license photos that reflect their everyday appearance, even when that does not "match traditional expectations of an applicant's gender," according to court papers.

Chase Culpepper, 17, who previously identified as male but now identifies as female, filed a federal lawsuit against the South Carolina DMV in March of 2014 for sexually discriminating against her after she was forced to remove her everyday makeup before taking a driver's license photo.

Wearing foundation, eye shadow, mascara and lip gloss, Culpepper sought to get her license at the Anderson DMV in South Carolina last March 3, according to the suit. But a female supervisor told Culpepper that she would have to remove the makeup — despite Culpepper and her mother saying it was how she looked on an everyday basis.

According to the lawsuit, because Culpepper was born male, as indicated by her driver's license, the supervisor said it was up to her discretion whether Culpepper's makeup counted as a "disguise" and she was forced to remove it.




​Can't help but think that the transexual community needs to refine their causes a little bit. You got gay people out in Indiana fighting for the right to be served at restaurants. Homosexuals have been fighting the battle for gay marriage for like a decade now. Meanwhile, transexuals are worried about   shitting comfortably and being able to wear makeup at the DMV. Will someone call the alternative lifestyle board of directors? Chase and the gang need a little more direction on social stances.  

You know what, I think it's fair to say that if you wear makeup to the DMV you are the asshole.The DMV is literally one of the most despicable places on the planet. Getting dolled up and going to the DMV is like putting on your Sunday best to take out the trash. It's like washing your hands before you clean the toilet. Whatever is asked of you asthetically after you stroll into one of the most abysmal places on the planet looking like a Rupaul understudy is on you. Know what happened last time I went to the DMV? I got yelled at for smiling during my picture. Well guess what Chase, I find that being forced to take a closed mouth picture is just as dehumanizing as being asked to wipe the cake off your face. You don't see me crying about it. Some battles aren't meant to be won because they are not meant to be fought. Don't stoop to the DMV's level. I'm sure you felt disrespected, but guess what. Those people you are arguing with? The people that haven't smiled since the first Bush administration? They have to go to work at the DMV every day. You are walking around with your dick clenched between your butt cheeks and you STILL have a better life than them. You are STILL winning.

Now I agree that transexuals are people too, but you kind of have to accept that making that choice is going to make your life more difficult. Everything just isn't going to go as smoothly when you can't check off 'Male' or 'Female' without a description box. Readjusting your junk so that it isn't falling out the bottom of your skirt is your new metaphor for life. It's time to get comfortable being uncomfortable. There are going to be a lot of situations that are going to be more difficult for you than for the average person. Complaining about a DMV experience as a transexual is like a vegan going to a hot dog stand and complaining about the food. You choose a life of inconvenience, maybe don't sweat the small stuff. Don't worry about the mole hills, you've got mountains to climb.