California is now the first state in America to recognize a third gender on driver's licenses and birth certificates.
On Sunday, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed the legislation that will allow residents to identify their gender as female, male, or nonbinary. Senate Bill 179 — the Gender Recognition Act — states that "the binary gender designations of female and male fail to adequately represent the diversity of human experience."
Nonbinary is defined by GLAAD as a term used by people whose gender identities fall outside traditional categories of male or female.
SEE ALSO:Transgender footballer could be the first to play in women's Australian rules leagueThe legislation will provide Californians with a third gender option, while making it easier for transgender individuals to change their gender identification on existing documents.
According to a press release, the bill gets rid of the previous requirement that an applicant had to submit a physician's letter attesting they had undergone clinical treatment for gender transition. With the new bill, people can simply submit a gender change request application directly to the state registrar.
Starting Sept. 1, 2018, California residents can request legal gender changes without having undergone treatment, and on Jan. 1, 2019 the nonbinary gender option will be available to those applying for driver’s licenses or renewals.
State Senator Toni Atkins, who authored the bill, told The Hill, "The Gender Recognition Act will eliminate unnecessary stress and anxiety for many Californians, and it exemplifies the leadership role that our state continues to take in LGBTQ civil rights."
Though California is the first state to allow a nonbinary gender option on birth certificates, both Oregon and Washington, D.C., have given residents the option to select a third gender option on driver's licenses.
Staring in June 2017 Washington, D.C. state identifications offered an "X" option in addition to female and male to signify their gender was not specified, and Oregon joined them in July 2017.
New York is also currently attempting to pass a similar bill.
TopicsActivismGenderSocial Good
(责任编辑：知識)
Sound the alarms: Simone Biles finally met Zac EfronTyphoon Haima strikes the Philippines as a Category 4 stormWeight Watchers criticised for linking weight and sex life with 'mood lightbulbs'New MacBook Pros might come with a 'Magic Toolbar' on the keyboardBalloon fanatic Tim Kaine is also, of course, very good at harmonicaHow Hyperloop One went off the rails
In December 2014, an engineer with the unlikely name Brogan BamBrogan was in the driveway of his cla
...[详细]Duterte hating on the U.S. has inspired a Spam meme in the Philippines
In the wake of the Filipino president appearing to sever friendly ties with the U.S., people in the
...[详细]20 cat Halloween costumes for the rare cats who want to wear them
Your cat will probably not wear a Halloween costume. Let's be honest, humans. But you'll want to be
...[详细]Why the Cleveland Indians have a great shot at winning the World Series
The Cleveland Indians haven't won a World Series since 1948, but that long drought may soon come to
...[详细]Dramatic photo captures nun texting friends after Italy earthquake
The image of an injured, bloodied nun, calmly texting friends and family in the wake of the deadly e
...[详细]20 cat Halloween costumes for the rare cats who want to wear them
Your cat will probably not wear a Halloween costume. Let's be honest, humans. But you'll want to be
...[详细]'Gilmore Girls' costumer reveals unbreakable set dress code
Say what you will about early 2000s fashion, but 。 Gilmore Girls
。 always had a distinct and unreplica
...[详细]iPhone 7 subjected to bizarre rubber torture for your amusement
At last, we know what happens when you completely drown an iPhone 7 in liquid rubber. 。TechRax, the Y
...[详细]5 people Tim Cook calls for advice on running the biggest company in the world
It's only fitting that the leader of the biggest company in the world has a pretty impressive list o
...[详细]The British army is under fire for this 'racist' tweet
The British Army has come under fire for tweeting a picture of a soldier wearing camouflage face cre
...[详细]More than half of women in advertising have faced sexual harassment, report says
The British army is under fire for this 'racist' tweet