Starting on January 1, 2019, New Yorkers now have the option to change the gender on their birth certificate to “X” to reflect a non-binary gender identity. Also, transgender and gender non-binary New Yorkers will no longer need a letter from a physician or an affidavit signed by a licensed health care provider to change their gender on their birth certificate.
This is a huge win for gender equity and for nonbinary and transgender New Yorkers. All people, regardless of gender identity or expression, deserve to be identified in ways that empower them and have those identities respected. This new policy is an important step in making our city more fair for all people.
“New Yorkers deserve a birth certificate that reflects and affirms their lived reality,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. "No one should have to claim a false identity because the government refuses to acknowledge gender fluidity.”
In the wake of Trump’s proposed ban on transgender as a gender category (and his administration’s longstanding anti-LGBTQ record), it’s more important than ever to create laws at the state and city levels that protect marginalized communities. At Planned Parenthood of New York City, we’re thrilled to see our elected officials taking critical steps to make New York a progressive city that reflects our values and community needs. Let’s do more of this in 2019!
Read more about the new third gender policy here.
Tags: transgender, gender, nyc, nonbinary