California Could Offer Third Gender Option on Driver's Licenses

SACRAMENTO, CA -- The California Assembly this week passed a bill that would allow people to identify as "nonbinary or intersex."

The bill would streamline the process for transgender, intersex and nonbinary Californians to obtain identification documents that accurately reflect their gender, according to the office of Sen. Toni Atkins, who co-authored the bill with Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco).

“Many of us have an ID that matches our gender presentation, and so showing it is hassle-free,” said Atkins (D-San Diego). “But for Californians who have an ID that does not match their gender presentation, showing it at airports, in shops or to law enforcement can be extremely stressful and lead to harassment or a delay in completing a transaction. It doesn’t need to be this way. SB 179 will make things a lot easier for our transgender, nonbinary and intersex friends and neighbors.”

SB 179, also known as the Gender Recognition Act, would make California the second state in the nation – following Oregon – to allow residents to be identified by a gender marker other than “F” or “M” on their driver’s license and the first to allow a third gender marker on birth certificates.

“California is once again leading the way toward full equality for our LGBTQ community and a more inclusive society," Wiener said. "We need to make it easier for transgender and gender non-conforming people to live their lives as who they are, not who society says they’re supposed to be. In particular, our LGBTQ youth need to know that we support them and want them to succeed as their authentic selves. I want to thank Senator Atkins for her strong leadership on this issue. I’m proud to partner with her to help advance the rights of the LGBTQ community."

--Photo from the DMV