X is now an option for Massachusetts residents.
When the governor signed the fiscal year budget, there were also provisions that will allow for a nonbinary option on drivers licenses; allow parents the ability to choose a nonbinary option on their child’s birth certificates; allow parents to change the gender on birth certificates; and mandates that state agencies that serve youth create documents to accommodate a nonbinary option on all their forms.
These provisions build on An Act relative to gender identity on Massachusetts identification (H.3017/S.2429), a bill filed in the Legislature in the last three legislative sessions by Representative Mindy Domb (D-Amherst) with Representative Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge) and Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton).
“The inclusion of this policy demonstrates our commonwealth’s commitment to acceptance and our recognition that gender identity is personal. I want to acknowledge the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth and thank them for their insights, which have made this a better policy. I’m very grateful to the Governor, House and Senate leadership, and the budget conferees for their support. This effort also benefited from an incredibly strong and determined legislative partnership, with Senator Comerford and my House colleague, Rep. Marjorie Decker. Senator Comerford and I have filed this bill since we were first sworn into office in 2019. Her leadership and engagement has been invaluable to its success,” said Domb.
The measure was signed by the Governor July 29.
(Photo by Michael Springer/Getty Images)