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Transgender teen gets new license picture

Chase Culpepper, 17, got to wear makeup in her picture

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Transgender teen gets new license picture
Chase Culpepper, 17, got to wear makeup in her picture
An Upstate transgender teen got a new driver's license picture after winning a federal lawsuit against the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.Fifteen months ago, Chase Culpepper was told she had to take off her makeup before being able to take her license photo.Culpepper, 17, was born male, but identifies as a female.  She wears dresses, heels and makeup. As part of the settlement, Culpepper was allowed to retake her picture with makeup and the SCDMV changed its policy allowing drivers to take pictures that reflect what they look like in everyday life, even when that doesn't match traditional expectations of an applicant's gender.The SCDMV also had to send the teen a letter of apology. In part, that letter read, "The SCDMV regrets anything that occurred at the Anderson office that made you feel uncomfortable.  We certainly apologize if anyone treated you rudely or discourteously."After getting her license, Culpepper told WYFF News 4 that she was "really happy.""Just holding this new license that accurately depicts who I am is a great and empowering thing for me," said Culpepper.  "We have made progress and this is just the result of the policy changes, so that's a positive change for South Carolina now that transgender and gender nonconforming people can go in as they are and have their license picture taken just like any other human being."

An Upstate transgender teen got a new driver's license picture after winning a federal lawsuit against the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

Fifteen months ago, Chase Culpepper was told she had to take off her makeup before being able to take her license photo.

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Culpepper, 17, was born male, but identifies as a female.  She wears dresses, heels and makeup. 

As part of the settlement, Culpepper was allowed to retake her picture with makeup and the SCDMV changed its policy allowing drivers to take pictures that reflect what they look like in everyday life, even when that doesn't match traditional expectations of an applicant's gender.

The SCDMV also had to send the teen a letter of apology. 

In part, that letter read, "The SCDMV regrets anything that occurred at the Anderson office that made you feel uncomfortable.  We certainly apologize if anyone treated you rudely or discourteously."

After getting her license, Culpepper told WYFF News 4 that she was "really happy."

"Just holding this new license that accurately depicts who I am is a great and empowering thing for me," said Culpepper.  "We have made progress and this is just the result of the policy changes, so that's a positive change for South Carolina now that transgender and gender nonconforming people can go in as they are and have their license picture taken just like any other human being."