On Friday, New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul announced state residents would have the option to choose “X” as gender on their driver’s license, learner permit, or non-driver ID card statewide.
The change is being implemented following the State’s Gender Recognition Act, which goes into effect on June 24. The new legislation furnishes expanded protections for transgender and non-binary New Yorkers.
As a result of the new law. it will now be more convenient for people to change their names, change their sex designation, and change their birth certificates to reflect their chosen identity, said Governor Hochul.
New Yorkers who have an existing driver’s license, learner permit, or non-driver ID will have the option to update the gender marker on their ID from “M” or “F” to “X.”
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Those who are applying for an NYS photo ID for the first time will also have the option to choose “X.”
According to Hochul, state residents who do not want to visit a DMV office to change their existing ID document can change their gender designation through an online transaction beginning in July.
Hochul noted that she has fought for and secured additional rights for LGBTQ+ citizens in the 2023 State Budget. According to Hochul, the Budget includes $13.5 million for the Department of Health to support the LGBTQ+ community and more than double the annual LGBTQ+ Health and Human Services funding.