Third gender added to Oregon driver's licenses

Oregon became the first state in the United States to offer more than two gender options on identity documents. including driver's licenses, KGW reported. The law went into effect July 3.

Oregon residents now can choose among three gender categories when applying for state ID cards or driver’s licenses -- male, female and “X” for non-binary or unspecified, KGW reported.

Army veteran Jamie Shupe, who in June 2016 became the country’s first person to legally change their gender to non-binary, was excited by the new law.

“I’ve trembled with the fear of failure and cried tears until I had no more tears to cry, because of the magnitude of what’s been at stake -- and now won,” Shupe said.

At least a dozen people in Oregon and California have been granted non-binary status by the courts, KGW reported.

"The 'X' is in use internationally, and in fact it's a standard recommended by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators," said David House, a spokesman for the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles.

Citizens of Australia and New Zealand already have the option to choose "X" on their passports, and in India passport applicants can pick male, female or eunuch, KGW reported.

Cox Media Group