Indiana Locks Gender Markers on IDs, Raising Concerns

A new policy at the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is drawing criticism from transgender advocates and a mother worried for her daughter's safety.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has announced that effective February 12, 2026, it will no longer allow customers to change the gender marker on their state IDs, even with a court order or physician's statement. This change follows an executive order by Governor Mike Braun that defines gender and sex as 'immutable biological classifications' determined at conception. The policy has sparked outrage from transgender advocates who argue it will expose transgender individuals to harassment and discrimination in their daily lives.

Why it matters

The new ID policy is seen as a significant setback for transgender rights in Indiana. Advocates argue that IDs that don't match a person's gender identity can put them at risk of harassment, discrimination, and even violence when they have to present their ID in everyday situations. The timing of the change, with only six days' notice, has also been criticized as inadequate.

The details

The BMV's new policy follows an executive order by Governor Mike Braun that defines gender and sex as 'immutable biological classifications' determined at conception. The BMV says it 'considered all of the public comments submitted on this matter and made the most appropriate decision in order to execute Governor Braun's Executive Order 25-36 properly.' Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita praised the change, saying 'Biological sex is an immutable fact—not a feeling to be rewritten on government documents.'

  • The BMV posted the notice of the policy change on its website on February 3, 2026.
  • The new policy goes into effect on February 12, 2026.

The players

Mike Braun

The Republican Governor of Indiana who issued an executive order defining gender and sex as 'immutable biological classifications'.

Todd Rokita

The Indiana Attorney General who praised the BMV's policy change, saying 'Biological sex is an immutable fact—not a feeling to be rewritten on government documents.'

Flower Nichols

A 14-year-old transgender girl in Indiana who is concerned about the impact the new ID policy will have on her daily life.

Jennilyn Nichols

Flower Nichols' mother, who is worried about her daughter's safety and ability to access services with an ID that doesn't match her gender identity.

Zoe O'Hailin-Berne

The director of engagement with IYG (formerly Indiana Youth Group), an LGBTQ advocacy organization, who argues the new policy will 'expose' transgender individuals.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Common sense and truth win again in Indiana. Biological sex is an immutable fact—not a feeling to be rewritten on government documents. Our office has fought hard to defend this same principle on birth certificates, blocking attempts to falsify records and ensuring they reflect reality, not ideology. We'll keep standing firm for accuracy in all state records.”

— Todd Rokita, Indiana Attorney General (Twitter)

“If she needs to pick up medication, if she needs to make a return of the store, if she needs to go on an airplane, I don't know who are behind those counters. I don't know if she will be safe. It's a gut punch.”

— Jennilyn Nichols, Mother of transgender daughter (WTHR)

“We're breaking the card down to, 'here are my genitals on a card'. If you're standing in the grocery store line and you're at the checkout and you're buying a bottle of wine and you're there with a full beard, clearly a man, and you hand your ID and there's an 'F' on there, you've just exposed something very private about yourself to this cashier you don't know you're opening yourself up for harassment, judgy looks, they may refuse.”

— Zoe O'Hailin-Berne, Director of Engagement, IYG (WTHR)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow a temporary injunction to block the new ID policy from going into effect as scheduled on February 12, 2026.

The takeaway

This policy change highlights the ongoing debate over transgender rights and the tension between protecting individual privacy and ensuring government records accurately reflect biological sex. The rushed implementation and lack of meaningful public input have further fueled concerns that the new ID requirements will put transgender Hoosiers at risk of discrimination and harm in their daily lives.