HOUSTON — It's been a week since Texas began blocking transgender people from changing their sex on their driver licenses.
It has brought up questions that, at this time, there are no answers for.
A Houston-area advocacy group said it's not only a legal challenge, but there are also concerns over safety and privacy.
On Wednesday, several organizations held a webinar where those impacted by the new policy could join to ask questions. Even though there is a limited amount of information available right now, legal teams are working behind the scenes to find solutions.
"So vague as to create chaos and confusion," Chloe Goodman, with Equality Texas, said of the change. "It is confusing. It is deeply concerning. It's scary for a lot of people."
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), "not having an accurate driver's license jeopardizes trans people's health and safety" by potentially exposing them to "discrimination, harassment and violence" and "state agencies can't ignore court orders."
In a statement, the Texas Department of Public Safety said: "The Office of the Attorney General has recently raised concerns regarding the validity of court orders ... to change the sex of individuals in government records."
As of Aug. 20, they stopped accepting requests.
The policy became known after an email to DPS employees was leaked. It also directed them to collect the information of those seeking to change the sex and gender on their driver licenses.
Advocates said trans people should seek legal advice, hold on to court orders and pause on making changes to their driver license for now.
"Everything is ending up on a list that we don't know who has access to it, how it will be used," Goodman said. "We will be OK and we have each other's backs."
The ACLU said their legal team is closely monitoring the situation and considering all options before deciding on the next steps.
Attorney General Ken Paxton's office didn't respond to a request for comment.
Resources for transgender Texans
Transgender Education Network of Texas - https://www.transtexas.org/
Equality Texas - https://www.equalitytexas.org/
Trans Legal Aid Clinic of Texas - https://translegalaidtx.com/