New Jersey Joins Growing List of States Offering “X” Gender Designation for Driver’s Licenses and Other Identification

As many as 19 other states have implemented the new standards, residents of New Jersey’s LGBTQ+ community celebrate the massive hurdles removed by the state’s decision. The change is a significant move for communities that do not identify with traditional gender categories or those who would like to keep their gender unspecified on their state and government identification. And passports may soon follow the increasing number of documents that contain an option to select “X” as the gender alongside the original Male and Female identifiers.

NEW! MVC now offers a Gender "X" option on licenses or IDs for customers identifying as non-binary or those who prefer their gender not be specified. The marker is offered alongside existing (M) male or (F) female options. Details at https://t.co/zneYKEzGVX. pic.twitter.com/GUbi95D3cu

— New Jersey MVC (@NJ_MVC) April 19, 2021

Earlier regulations for passports allowed individuals to switch genders from male or female with medical documentation of sex reassignment surgery; however, this creates a barrier for those who are intersex or identify as non-binary. Many believe this update will not only enhance access to occupation, benefits, and living accommodations for LGBTQ+ individuals, but it will also provide credentials that truly express who they are. Activists are urging U.S. officials to implement the third gender option policy on a federal level, impacting social security cards, birth certificates, and passports.

“We know this new option will be deeply impactful for many residents, as access to resources & the ability to live & work freely so often hinges on having documentation that correctly reflects your identity,” –@suefulton https://t.co/1nHlXTg71d

— Garden State Equality (@GSEquality) April 20, 2021