NYC birth certificate allows gender 'X'
Mayor Bill de Blasio signs a bill into law that allows New Yorkers to choose a gender-neutral designation on their birth certificate without showing an affidavit. (Courtesy of the Office of the Mayor)
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City law allows residents who don't identify as male or female to change their birth certificates to "X."
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the bill Tuesday. It goes into effect Jan. 1, 2019.
The bill removes the requirement that residents need an affidavit from a doctor or mental health professional to change the gender on their birth certificates.
It also allows parents to choose the "X'' designation for their newborns.
New York City joins California, Oregon, Washington state and New Jersey in allowing a third gender option on birth certificates. Washington, D.C. allows gender-neutral driver licenses.
De Blasio, a Democrat, said New Yorkers should be free to tell their government who they are — and "not the other way around."