New York Just Became the Fifth US State to Recognize Gender "X" on Birth Certificates

New York City residents now have the option of choosing a third gender on their birth certificates thanks to a bill that was recently signed by mayor Bill de Blasio. The bill, which was signed into law on Tuesday, Oct. 9, will allow gender-nonconforming and -nonbinary individuals to change their gender to "X" on their birth certificates without a doctor's approval.

"Imagine if you were told you had to be something you did not consider yourself to be," de Blasio said during the signing event. "Imagine there was literally no space given for your own identity as you saw it. That's been the reality for too many New Yorkers, too many Americans. It doesn't have to be that way."

New York is now the fifth state to recognize gender "X." Proposed by the City Council back in June, the bill passed by a vote of 41-6 just last month. It goes into effect on Jan. 1, and those hoping to change their gender on their birth certificate will be able to do so by submitting a written declaration and for a fee of $40.