NEW YORK — It's been nearly two years since New Yorkers had the option to choose "female," "male," or "X" as their sex on a driver's license, and on Friday, the state provided an update on the numbers.
More than 5,200 people have chosen "X" as their gender marker in the past two years, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles said in a statement Friday.
The option followed passage of the state's Gender Recognition Act, which went into effect on June 24, 2022, allowing for "X" to be selected on a driver's license, learner permit, or non-driver ID card at all state DMV offices. The legislation also made it easier for people change their names, sex designation, and birth certificates to reflect their identity.
"Making the Gender X marker available to New Yorkers is one of my most cherished moments as DMV Commissioner," Mark J.F. Schroeder said in a statement, celebrating Pride Month. "It was so moving to see how much pride people took in finally having a document that reflected their gender identity."
Schroeder said state DMV employees are participating in Pride events all month, including parades and festivals on Long Island and in Albany, Syracuse, and New York City.
"DMV is proud to support Pride Month, and our employees across New York State will be actively participating in events to show our support for the LGTBQIA+ community," Schroeder said.
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