Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) moved quickly to shut down transgender activist James Rose’s attempt to exploit a “loophole” to change the designation on his driver’s license from male to female. Rose’s maneuver, which was flaunted in a self-congratulatory TikTok video, ran afoul of state law prohibiting such alterations, and the department wasted no time correcting the error.
In a video posted on December 20, 2024, Rose detailed how he bypassed Florida’s strict regulations by replacing a “lost” license rather than renewing it. Using a passport listing his gender as female—a document that permits self-identification under federal rules—he claimed to have forced the state DMV to match the passport’s information.
Rose gleefully mocked Governor Ron DeSantis and the state’s policies in the video, calling it a “BIG WIN FOR THE DOLLS, BIG LOSS FOR RHONDA.” The video quickly gained traction online, triggering backlash from conservatives and catching the attention of Florida officials.
By January 6, 2025, FLHSMV had invalidated the altered license and reinstated Rose’s original designation as male. The department clarified in an official letter that Florida law requires licenses to reflect biological s*x as determined by “innate and immutable biological and genetic characteristics.” The letter also revealed that Rose’s viral TikTok had been instrumental in identifying the violation.
FLHSMV announced plans to audit similar cases and issue reminders to local offices to prevent future errors. The department also hinted at potential legal repercussions for Rose. Under Florida law, knowingly providing false information during a license application is considered fraud, which could lead to license suspension or revocation.
Governor Ron DeSantis’ press secretary, Jeremy Redfern, addressed the incident on Twitter, sharing Rose’s TikTok video and confirming that the license had been canceled. The post further underscored the administration’s commitment to upholding Florida’s policies regarding gender markers on official documents.
While Rose’s attempt to sidestep state regulations briefly succeeded, the swift response from FLHSMV highlights the challenges facing activists seeking to undermine laws in conservative states. Florida’s firm stance on maintaining biological s*x designations reflects broader cultural and political battles over gender identity, a flashpoint in state and federal policies under the incoming Trump administration.
Rose’s viral stunt may have been intended as a win for transgender activism, but in the end, it only reaffirmed Florida’s resolve to enforce its laws.
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