The City Council is working toward inclusivity for New Yorkers, as proven through recent efforts.
On Wednesday, in a 41–6 vote, legislation passed that permits people born in NYC who do not identify as male or female to change their birth certificates to "X"—a gender that is not exclusively male or female—without an affidavit from doctors, according to the Associated Press. This goes for little New Yorkers as well. Parents also have the option to select "X" for their newborns.
Previously, licensed physicians or medical professionals needed to sign off on requests for gender changes on birth certificates, according to the City Council. Before 2014, New Yorkers had to undergo gender confirmation surgery before their birth certificates could represent the change, the AP further reports.
Council Speaker Cory Johnson has been at the forefront of this effort, and the mayor is expected to sign the bill. However, it won't go into effect until Jan 1.
"This was a historic City Council vote and an important step for New York in its role as a worldwide champion for inclusivity and equality," Speaker Corey Johnson said in a statement. “New Yorkers will no longer need a doctor’s note to change their gender on their birth certificates, and will no longer be treated as if their identify was a medical issue. I hope this sends a powerful message to other cities and states that this can and should be done. No one should have to go through hoops to have a birth certificate that corresponds to who they really are.”
If you are looking to learn more about this initiative, visit the New York City Council website. Don't forget to follow along at Time Out New York to catch the latest news on today's primary election.
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