New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law a legislation allowing the creation of a third gender category on city-issued birth certificates.
Starting on January 1 next year, NYC birth certificates will show a non-binary “X” category in addition to the “male” and “female” designations.
The newly-signed law also makes it easier for transgender and gender-non-binary New Yorkers to change their birth certificates. New Yorkers will no longer have to submit a doctor’s letter or an affidavit from a licensed health care facility to accurately reflect their gender identity on their birth certificates.
Empowering transgender and gender-non-binary New Yorkers
In a statement on Tuesday, de Blasio said, “New Yorkers should be free to tell their government who they are, not the other way around.” He added, “This new legislation will empower all New Yorkers—especially our transgender and gender-non-binary residents—to have birth certificated that better reflect their identity.”
Furthermore, the NYC mayor emphasized that the legislation extends the city’s commitment to defending the rights of the LGBTQ community.
