Corbitt v. Taylor
What's at Stake
The American Civil Liberties Union and ACLU of Alabama filed a federal law suit against officials of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) for depriving transgender people of driver licenses that reflect their gender. The lawsuit states that the Alabama government has violated the privacy, due process, free speech, and equal protection rights of Darcy Corbitt, Destiny Clark, and a third, unnamed plaintiff.
Summary
Currently, transgender Alabamans may only change their gender marker on a driver license if they have had certain gender-affirming surgery. This policy makes it impossible for most transgender people in Alabama to obtain a license that they can use without sacrificing their privacy, safety, health, autonomy, and dignity.
Gender-affirming surgery is an important form of health care that many transgender people want and need. Many other transgender people do not want or need it, though—and some who do cannot afford it. Transgender people’s gender identities are valid regardless of what health care they have had, and the government has no justification for meddling in these personal health decisions. Most states and the federal government do not require surgery for changing the gender marker on identification.
People in Alabama typically need their license on a daily basis. Transgender people, unlike others, have to get by without one, or use a license that shows the wrong gender and so puts them at high risk of harassment and violence. That’s discrimination, and it’s wrong.
Update: On September 20, 2024, the Eleventh Circuit court of appeals ruled that Alabama’s refusal to issue accurate drivers licenses to our clients did not violate the federal constitution. We are assessing next steps.
Legal Documents
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10/11/2024
Plaintiffs-Appellees' Petition for Rehearing or Rehearing En Banc -
09/20/2024
Opinion -
08/30/2021
Reply Brief of State Defendants-Appellants -
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10/06/2021
Supplemental Authority to Reply Brief of State Defendants-Appellants
Corbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsSupplemental Authority to Reply Brief of State Defendants-AppellantsDate Filed: 10/06/2021
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download Document -
10/06/2021
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07/30/2021
Amicus Briefs in Support of Plantiffs-Appellees -
- Amicus Brief of LGBTQ Advocacy Groups
- Amicus Brief of United States
- Amicus Brief of Medical Professionals
- Amicus Brief of Organizations
- Amicus Brief of Law Professors
- Amicus Brief of California and Other States
Corbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of LGBTQ Advocacy GroupsDate Filed: 07/30/2021
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentCorbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of United StatesDate Filed: 08/02/2021
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentCorbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Medical ProfessionalsDate Filed: 08/02/2021
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentCorbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of OrganizationsDate Filed: 08/02/2021
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentCorbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Law ProfessorsDate Filed: 08/02/2021
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentCorbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of California and Other StatesDate Filed: 08/16/2021
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download Document -
07/26/2021
Brief of Plaintiffs-Appellees -
06/02/2021
Amicus Brief in Support of Defendants-Appellants -
- Amicus Brief of Foundation for Moral Law
Corbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsAmicus Brief of Foundation for Moral LawDate Filed: 06/02/2021
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download Document -
05/26/2021
Brief of State Defendants-Appellants -
02/12/2021
Notice of Appeal
Date Filed: 10/11/2024
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentDate Filed: 09/20/2024
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentDate Filed: 08/30/2021
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentDate Filed: 07/26/2021
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentDate Filed: 05/26/2021
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentDate Filed: 02/12/2021
Court: Appeals Court (11th Cir.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download Document-
01/15/2021
Opinion -
09/18/2020
Defendant's Supplemental Brief -
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09/25/2020
Plaintiff's Reply to Supplemental Brief
Corbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsPlaintiff's Reply to Supplemental BriefDate Filed: 09/25/2020
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download Document -
09/25/2020
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09/18/2020
Plaintiff's Supplemental Brief -
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09/25/2020
Defendant's Reply to Supplemental Brief
Corbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsDefendant's Reply to Supplemental BriefDate Filed: 09/25/2020
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download Document -
09/25/2020
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02/08/2019
Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment -
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03/08/2019
Plaintiff's Opposition to Motion for Summary Judgment -
03/22/2019
Defendant's Reply
Corbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsPlaintiff's Opposition to Motion for Summary JudgmentDate Filed: 03/08/2019
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentCorbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsDefendant's ReplyDate Filed: 03/22/2019
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download Document -
03/08/2019
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02/08/2019
Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment -
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03/08/2019
Defendant's Opposition to Motion for Summary Judgment -
03/22/2019
Plaintiff's Reply
Corbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsDefendant's Opposition to Motion for Summary JudgmentDate Filed: 03/08/2019
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentCorbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsPlaintiff's ReplyDate Filed: 03/22/2019
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download Document -
03/08/2019
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07/25/2018
Amended Complaint -
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08/08/2018
Answer to Amended Complaint
Corbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsAnswer to Amended ComplaintDate Filed: 08/08/2018
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download Document -
08/08/2018
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02/06/2018
Complaint -
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04/03/2018
Answer
Corbitt v. TaylorLegal DocumentsAnswerDate Filed: 04/03/2018
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download Document -
04/03/2018
Date Filed: 01/15/2021
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentDate Filed: 09/18/2020
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentDate Filed: 09/18/2020
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentDate Filed: 02/08/2019
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentDate Filed: 02/08/2019
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentDate Filed: 07/25/2018
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentDate Filed: 02/06/2018
Court: District Court (M.D. Ala.)
Affiliate: Alabama
Download DocumentPress Releases
Transgender Alabamians Tell Federal Appeals Court Lack of Accurate IDs Puts Their Lives at Risk
Federal Court Finds Alabama’s Driver’s License Policy Violates Rights of Transgender People
ACLU Sues Alabama for Discrimination Against Transgender People