Yeah, I've heard that from other people as well. What you should do: if you live in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, or Wyoming, you can only get a real id. Contact your state legislators and governor to demand a state id. If you don't live in those states, specifically request a state id and only bring what you need for a state id. In Illinois for example, you can prevent a real id from being issued to you by mistake by bringing only 1 proof of address instead of 2.
If you need a real id right now, absolutely keep it. I am not asking anyone to justify themselves for having one if they need it for personal reasons. I will however encourage you to get a passport with your correct gender as soon as it becomes possible (possibly in 4 years or sooner if the courts strike down trump's executive order).
Ok, I did not tell people to not have a license at all. If you live in a state where you can only get a real id (Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, Wyoming), absolutely renew it. However, if you don't live in those states, you can turn in your real id for a state one, and I'm recommending that everyone do that.
As for "not being able to readily identify yourself", it is my opinion that no one should be required to carry their id and that if the police stop you, you should only provide what is legally required of you. Illinois for example is a no id state, and the police cannot just ask you to identify yourself (excluding traffic stops). However, I also recognize that there are dangers to asserting your rights against law enforcement. If you fear for your life, then of course there is no shame in complying with what is requested of you.
Now suppose that real ids are digital and required for medical care. Now, what's gonna happen if you say something, or attend a protest etc., that the government or corporations don't like? Well, in real time you will be denied your real id and consequently be unable to receive medical care.
This won't happen today or even this decade. Right now they're laying the groundwork for implementing this in maybe 20 years. That's why we must fight back NOW.
You don't need a driver's license. You can get a non-driver state id. The reason so many Americans have a drivers license is because the US has terrible public transportation.
Something to note:
In Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, and Wyoming, you can only get a Real ID. If you live in one of these states, please contact your state senator, representative, and governor to express your concerns and demand a state id.
Also, everyone should contact their members of congress and the president, and demand that the real id act be repealed.
That's actually one of the most unfortunate parts of this. When you're at the doctor, you're incredibly vulnerable and need care. We shouldn't have a society where people have to censor themselves for privacy reasons, but today we do. The best solution is to push for a state medical privacy law at least as strong as Minnesota's.
Yeah, I've heard that from other people as well. What you should do: if you live in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, or Wyoming, you can only get a real id. Contact your state legislators and governor to demand a state id. If you don't live in those states, specifically request a state id and only bring what you need for a state id. In Illinois for example, you can prevent a real id from being issued to you by mistake by bringing only 1 proof of address instead of 2.