A new bill has been introduced by Democratic lawmakers in California which if passed would make the state the first in the union to add a gender option other than male or female on state-issued identification.
The bill, SB 179, launched by state Sen. Toni Atkins, “would add a non-binary gender marker option for driver’s licenses, birth certificates, identity cards and gender change court orders,” according to Fox News. No longer would Californians have to get a doctor’s approval to petition the gender change. Also, minors desiring a new gender identity could apply for an official change on their birth certificates. Atkins believes the law would help transgender people avoid discrimination.
Backing the bill is the group Equality California, whose member Jo Michael said, “As a person who identifies as transgender and is non-binary, this piece of legislation is important to me on a personal level. For the first time, Californians could have accurate gender markers that truly reflect who we are."
Opposing the bill is the conservative Christian group California Family Council.CEO Jonathan Keller released a statement: