Houston Mayor Claims Her Daughter Was Denied A Driver’s Test Because She Has Two Moms
Controversial Houston mayor Annise Parker has claimed that her daughter was denied the chance to take the test for her Texas driver’s license because her birth certificate says she has two mothers, a claim that a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) official is flatly denying, the Los Angeles Times is reporting.
On Thursday, Parker — who is the only openly-gay mayor of a major U.S. city — sent out a tweet alleging that her 16-year-old daughter, who is unnamed, went to DPS to take her test for her driver’s license, but was denied because her birth certificate lists two mothers: Parker, and her wife, Kathy Hubbard.
Daughter needs drivers test. Has all docs, some in MomA name, some MomK, but w/ birth cert showing both. DPS says can only be from 1 mom!-A
— Annise Parker (@AnniseParker) October 24, 2014
At first blush, the Houston mayor’s claim that the Texas DPS makes things difficult for driver’s license applicants from gay families does seem to have some validity. Last month, according to this Inquisitr report, a gay woman claimed she was denied a Texas driver’s license because she is in a same sex marriage (a marriage that was performed in California, where same sex marriage is legal and recognized) and took her wife’s name. The Houston mayor then claimed that DPS put her on an “unnecessary paper chase” to get her daughter’s driver’s license documentation in order.
Finally! After 3rd trip to DPS w/ different sets of docs in an unnecessary paper chase, last child has her drivers license.-A — Annise Parker (@AnniseParker) October 24, 2014
Parker claimed that it took the involvement of an understanding DPS clerk, and her supervisor, to convince DPS to give her daughter a driver’s license.
Thank you to the DPS clerk & supervisor in the Rosenberg office who took the time to read my daughters documentation & realize it was OK.-A
— Annise Parker (@AnniseParker) October 24, 2014
However, DPS official Tom Vinger says that Parker’s claims of discrimination against her daughter don’t add up.
“All individuals applying for their first Texas driver’s license must provide a variety of documents to prove their identity, Social Security number, U.S. citizenship or lawful presence status, and Texas residency. In this case, the adult applicant did not initially present sufficient documentation to prove residency. Once she provided the required documentation, she was able to complete the transaction.”
Do you believe that this has all been a misunderstanding, or do you believe Parker’s claim that Texas DPS unnecessarily held up her daughter’s driver’s license application because she has two moms? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
[Image courtesy of: KTRK (Houston]
