Gender X and the rights to your identity classification
January 19, 2018
On June 15th 2017, Oregon became the first state to ever pass a law allowing non-binary classification on ID’s or Drivers Licenses. This law took effect on January 1st of 2018.
Now, Oregon may not have been the only state with this idea–the idea of evolving the freedoms of identity and self, while giving more control to citizens.
Recently, Washington state residents in the LGBTQ+ community have been petitioning for the state to finally allow genderless options of identification.
These actions did not go unnoticed. Citizens born in Washington can now not only petition to have their gender changed on their birth certificate from male to female and female to male, but starting January 27th , citizens will be given an “X” option to select on existing documents.
The LGBTQ+ community believes Gender “X” will allow people who don’t feel they fit into female or male categories to be in control of their legal gender identity and be true to who they are.
We interviewed a student, Christian Ortiz, here at Renton High School, and he shared his opinion on Gender X.
“Do whatever makes you happy. It’s their life, their choice,” said Ortiz.
He then went on to tell us that there “might be backlash,” explaining his worry for the non-binary and gender-neutral community.
We later interviewed an annonymous citizen in Renton, who agreed with Christian, but also had some thoughts on the topic.
“I don’t really have any opinion, it just doesn’t affect me-but people should do what they want. I just don’t think having control over how the government sees my gender/others gender matters that much,” expressed the anonymous citizen.
So, in aspects, they have the same perspective, agreeing that people should always have a choice–even if the law or act isn’t something that they agree with.
In the long run, whether you agree or disagree, on January 27th the law will be implemented and people who want to express their rights to change their gender identifications can.
See Also
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B222QmlB9vY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfopEk_bvrQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyYn9izT9gc
Sources
Washington state considering ‘X’ gender option for birth certificates. (n.d.). Retrieved January 18, 2018, from http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/06/washington-state-considering-x-gender-option-for-birth-certificates.html
Should state add ‘gender X’ as option on birth certificates? (2017, December 06). Retrieved January 18, 2018, from http://q13fox.com/2017/12/05/should-state-add-gender-x-as-option-on-birth-certificates/
Staff, K. (n.d.). ‘X’ now 3rd option for gender on Washington birth certificate. Retrieved January 18, 2018, from http://komonews.com/news/local/state-dept-of-health-x-now-third-option-on-birth-certificate