Gender 'X' Is Now an Option in New York City 

New York City’s new non-binary gender option—gender “X”—is officially in effect. New Yorkers can now change their birth certificates to reflect their gender preferences, and parents can choose “X” for their newborns.

The new law brings NYC in line with California, Oregon and Washington D.C.; a similar provision will be enacted in New Jersey in February.

The measure passed the City Council in September by a margin of 41 to six, and was signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in October. As City Council Speaker Corey Johnson said at the time:

“There are plenty of New Yorkers who don’t identify as either male or female. Gender is a spectrum for many folks, and it’s not a fixed thing. So for New Yorkers who are transgender, who are gender non-conforming, who are non-binary, to have an option to better self-identify on such an important document, their birth certificate, unlocks all sorts of things for them.”

Prior to the law, New Yorkers were required to obtain documentation from a doctor before they were permitted to change their listed gender.