The Florida Department of Motor
Vehicles has warned a married gay couple to change their names or
risk losing their driving licenses.
Daniel and Scott Wall-Desousa received
the warning in the mail a week after they discussed with local media
how they legally changed their last names using their New York State
marriage license.
“It informs me and notifies me that
my driving privileges will be canceled indefinitely as of November
22,” Daniel told WFTV
Channel 9.
The men also changed their last name on
critical documents such as their Social Security cards and voter ID
cards.
“Everything has been changed to my
benefits, to my Florida pension,” Daniel said. “How does one
undo all that?”
Asked about the timing, Daniel said it
showed there was a “don't ask, don't tell” policy at work in the
department.
“It says it is a 'don't ask, don't
tell' policy and that is offensive,” Scott told the station. “It
didn't work once and it is not going to work again.”
The couple plans to file a lawsuit
against the state.
Florida's ban on gay marriage has been
ruled unconstitutional by numerous state judges and a federal judge.