US citizens will now get to opt for a gender-neutral X marker, instead of male or female, starting April 11, 2022, as announced by the Department of State. They said the gender-neutral marker will be extended to other forms of documentation by 2023.
“After thoughtful consideration of the research conducted and feedback from community members, we concluded that the definition of the X gender marker on State Department public forms will be ‘Unspecified or another gender identity’. This definition is respectful of individuals’ privacy while advancing inclusion,” Blinkin revealed.
Last June the State Department had mentioned that it would add a third gender marker but there was no information on when it would be put into practice. Another heartening announcement made was that citizens can self-select their gender, without the need for medical proof.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) are proud of and appreciated this change. HRC interim president Joni Madison expressed that this policy update “will improve the lives of transgender and non-binary people in this country.”
The news comes on Transgender Day of Visibility and a statement from the White House on Thursday criticised “the proliferation of dangerous anti-transgender legislative attacks”. The statement added that “the evidence is clear that these types of bills stigmatize and worsen the well-being and mental health of transgender kids, and they put loving and supportive families across the country at risk of discrimination and harassment.”