Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced Tuesday that, starting next week, Michigan residents can choose a non-binary “X” option as a gender on state-issued identification.
“I am proud to support Michiganders across the state who for many years have called on the Department of State to provide a non-binary sex marker on their ID that matches their lived reality,” Benson said in a press release. “We have been working toward this goal since 2019, when we first removed the barriers for residents to change their sex marker in order to help protect their safety and accurately reflect their identity.”
BLINKEN: AMERICANS CAN PICK THEIR PASSPORT GENDER
The release went on to explain how Benson reinstituted a department policy in 2019 that allows state residents to change the gender on their IDs without having to provide documentation from a doctor or a court.
In a photo provided by the Michigan Office of the Governor, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a speech in Lansing, Mich., Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (Michigan Office of the Governor via AP)
“One of my goals is to reduce barriers for marginalized communities to participate fully in our society. The transgender community has faced both marginalization and violence without proper identification,” Benson said at the time. “This change returns to a policy that was in place before the issue was politicized, and that was utilized by both a Republican and Democrat secretary of state.”
Campus and front entrance to the Michigan state capitol building in downtown Lansing.
(iStock)
The Tuesday release from Benson also explained that any Michigander who would like to change their sex-marker to “X” can do so by visiting the secretary of state office or website, beginning Nov. 10.
Michigan’s new policy mirrors that of 20 other states and the District of Columbia. Benson’s announcement comes less than a week after the U.S. State Department issued the first U.S. passport with an “X” gender marker, granting a third option for U.S. passport holders who do not identify as female or male.
FILE – This May 25, 2021 file photo shows a U.S. Passport cover in Washington. The United States has issued its first passport with an “X” gender designation, a milestone in the recognition of the rights of people who don’t identify as male or female.
(AP Photo/Eileen Putman)
“The Department of State continues the process of updating its policies regarding gender markers on U.S. passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBAs) to better serve all U.S. citizens, regardless of their gender identity,” press secretary Ned Price said in a statement.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The Department is moving towards adding an X gender marker for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming persons applying for a U.S. passport or CRBA,” he added.
Fox News’ Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.
