Yesterday an executive order was signed in the United States, which mandates that there are only two genders recognized by any US agencies ... and that they cannot be changed. Which reminded me of Gloria's experience at the Motor Vehicle Branch.
Once Upon a Time, Gloria's driving licence needed to be renewed. Actually, this happened more than once, and, indeed, fairly regularly. She had already done the necessary work and visit to the motor vehicle office. But, when the licence arrived in the mail, we found that, for some reason, she had been changed to a male.
We were both amused by this, but Gloria was somewhat perturbed about it. She responded with characteristic efficiency. She gathered up her birth certificate, passport, and other forms of ID attesting to gender, including our marriage certificate. (I noted that, in the prevailing social climate, our marriage certificate might not count for anything in terms of gender.)
Thus prepared, she sallied forth to the motor vehicle office.
Having waited in line, when she reached the counter, and made her problem known, the absurdity of the situation caused no little consternation among the staff. Since a driver's licence is probably *THE* form of identification, in most situations, other, and more senior, staff were called over to ensure that rectifying the situation, by simply issuing a new (corrected) driver's licence would not create other problems. The comments, and extra, and urgent, activities ensured that everyone in the branch, and every client still waiting to fulfill their own actvities and needs, became aware of the issue.
Gloria was quickly shuffled through the process of getting a new driver's licence, including having a picture taken. The icing was put on the bureaucratic cake by a very large, very athletic, very tall and imposing fellow, awaiting the finalization of his own photo for his own driver's licence, who, when Gloria's photo came up for approval, noted (fairly loudly), "Nice picture ... Dude!"
I wonder how this would have played out under the new American executive order?
Introduction and ToC: https://fibrecookery.blogspot.com/2023/10/mgg-introduction.html
Next: TBA
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