Between bitterly threatening to build our own satellites and clinging to sanctuary city policies, state lawmakers are now weighing a fun, new revision to state identification cards: A third gender option.
State Sen. Toni Atkins’ bill would add a non-binary gender marker option for driver’s licenses, birth certificates, identity cards and gender change court orders. The San Diego Democrat says SB 179 would also simplify the process for changing one’s gender on those documents.
...SB 179 would end the requirements that a person get a doctor’s sworn statement and appear in court even if no objections have been filed when petitioning to change their gender on official documents. The bill would also allow minors to apply for a gender change on their birth certificate.
California would be the first state in the nation to enact social justice rule-making related to gender identity.
"As a person who identifies as transgender and is non-binary, this piece of legislation is important to me on a personal level," [Jo Michael of Equality California] said during a press conference on the bill. "For the first time, Californians could have accurate gender markers that truly reflect who we are."
The federal government does not offer a third gender option for official documents such as passports. The issue drew national attention in November when a federal judge asked the U.S. State Department to reconsider its decision to deny a passport to a Colorado resident who does not identify as male or female.