New York Birth Certificates Now Include Third Gender Option

New York birth certificates and licenses now include a third gender option.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Gender Recognition Act into law on June 24, which will mean non-binary individuals can select ‘X’ for their gender or ‘parent’ instead of mother or father.

The bill will mean there’s also further protection against discrimination, as residents of New York will no longer have to publish their new and former names, address, place of birth, and birth date in the newspaper – which was previously required after a citizen changes their title.

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Discussing the new bill, Cuomo said: “Every New Yorker deserves to be free from discrimination and have state-issued identification and processes that respect them from who they are, recognise their gender identity and protect their safety.

“New York continues to lead the way in ensuring LGBT people are treated equally in every part of the law and society, and this bill is another landmark that ensures New Yorkers can express ourselves for who we are.”

The act will also mean that New Yorkers can have their sex designation papers sealed to avoid discrimination and violence.

According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, almost two-thirds of transgender residents (out of a survey of 1,800) believe that the name and gender on their ID isn’t a true reflection of their identity.

New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman said: “The Gender Recognition Act won’t just allow people to access accurate identity documents.

“It will bring an end to the government-sanctioned stigma, red tape, and discrimination that has accompanied New Yorkers seeking identity documents that reflect who they are for far too long.”

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