NYC Gender-Neutral Law Now in Effect: Everything You Need to Know

As of the first of this year, NYC birth certificates have a new option available for gender identity. Adult residents have the option to change their existing birth certificate or choose the new option for their newborns.

The new law makes the Gender-X birth certificate an empowering option for those who do not identify with traditional male or female designations or who choose not to make a gender choice for their children.
 
What impacts and implications does this change to official documentation have?

Offering a Meaningful Choice

The opportunity to obtain a gender-neutral birth certificate allows individuals to update their official documentation to more accurately reflect their personal identity. In fact, this change identifies the individual more accurately than choosing one of two inaccurate options did.

What Is Meant by Gender X?

The term Gender X is not intended to refer to one specific group of people, but to offer an alternative with a gender-neutral meaning—that is, not exclusively male or female. The gender-X definition is deliberately open, and, therefore, inclusive of all other possibilities, including those who have not yet fully identified themselves.
 
Some, but not all, of the gender identifiers included in this category are:
 

• Intersex
• Amalgagender
• Androgynous
• Bigender
• Demigender
• Female-to-male
• Male-to-female
• Neutrois
• Nonbinary
• Genderfluid
• Genderqueer
• Pangender
• Third sex
• Two spirit
• Transgender
  
• Transsexual
  

Reasons to Choose a Gender-X Birth Certificate

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the new gender-neutral birth certificate. As laws slowly change across the country, we are left with a hodge-podge of old and new documentation forms that might conflict with each other. Some reasons to go forward with the new option include:

• Establishing a basic identity document with a more accurate gender marker
  
• Supporting the movement toward offering gender-neutral options in government and public documents
  
• Providing a basis to defend against gender-bias or discrimination
• Allowing children to choose their own gender designation when they are ready, possibly avoiding gender stereotypes, stigmas, or pressure on early development
  

What States Have a Gender-neutral Law?

New York State’s human rights law and gender identity initiatives follow in the footsteps of other ground-breaking legislation in these states which also offer gender-neutral birth certificate options:

• California
• Washington
• Oregon
• New Jersey (Feb 2019)

Washington D.C. offers gender-neutral driver’s licenses, as do Oregon, California, and Vermont.

Awareness Around the Worl

• Nepal
  
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Germany
• Canada
  

What the Future May Hold

In recent years, our society has gained awareness of the broad spectrum that is human identity. From the first heated discussions of gender-neutral bathrooms and the first gender-neutral store in NYC  to having the option of changing your gender on a birth certificate in New York, it has been a rapid and eye-opening transition for many Americans. Letting go of limiting labels and offering a meaningful alternative is a step toward greater acceptance going forward.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the New York gender law list or amending your birth certificate gender designation, you will need to work with your local county or state vital records office. If you’ve chosen to use the new Gender X option on your baby’s first birth certificate, FastBirthCertificates.com can help you obtain an official copy without the hassle of traveling to a government office.

PLEASE NOTE: At this time, FastBirthCertificates.com does not alter or amend any birth certificates. This blog is for informational purposes only.