May 25, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

California Welcomes Third Gender Option on Driver’s Licenses, State IDs

A third gender option is now available on California driver’s licenses and state identification cards. This is a major victory for non-binary or gender non-conforming folk, as it could help set precedent for nation-wide reforms.

California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) began issuing IDs on Wednesday, Jan. 2 to non-binary residents, who identify as neither male or female, assigning them an “X” marker instead of the traditional “M” or “F”.

The new California law is part of a recent wave of changes in states throughout the U.S. that have made it easier for transgender, gender-nonconforming and intersex people to have accurate documents that recognize their identities.

California estimates that about 54,600 people will seek an ID gender change in the first year of the new law, according to Artemio Armenta, a DMV spokesperson. The new law allows people to “self certify,” which means medical records are unnecessary to make the change to the ID. This will also make it easier for trans people to change their IDs to male or female since the process previously required doctor’s notes. The state estimates roughly 20,000 people will seek gender changes each subsequent year, Armenta said in the Guardian.

“Having an ‘M’ or ‘F’ marker on that piece of identification that is used so frequently is really like being forced to carry around a lie about who you are,” she said.

“I’m glad that finally non-binary people are recognized, that we exist,” said Alon Altman in the Guardian.

Altman is genderqueer and was one of the first people in line to get their new ID. Altman, who uses gender-neutral “they/them” pronouns, said the document provided a “formal rebuttal to bigoted people who continue to assert that ‘there are only two genders,’” according to the Guardian.

“Now, I have an official paper that says no,” Altman said.

Oregon was the first state to adopt the “X” marker for state IDs in 2017. Several states and cities, including California. have since followed suit and also adopted new rules to allow non-binary people to have gender-neutral markers on their birth certificates.

Having the correct gender markers on state ID can help non-binary and trans people in daily interactions and transactions where they may be misgendered or denied basic recognition.

“It’s the very beginning of a way larger fight,” Nazanin Szanto, a 25-year-old genderqueer Oakland resident, said to the Guardian. “Non-binary people have been here forever … Now, we’re getting recognition. We’re getting a chance to live slightly more authentically.”

Related Posts

West Hollywood Releases Transit and Parking Details Ahead of WeHo Pride 2025

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Santa Monica Boulevard to Close for Weekend-Long Celebration May 30–June 1 The City of West Hollywood has released transportation and...

Man Accused of Stalking Jennifer Aniston Ruled Incompetent to Stand Trial

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Stalking Suspect Says He’s Fit for Trial After Initial Psychiatric Evaluation Jimmy Wayne Carwyle, a Mississippi man accused of stalking...

The Grove to Host Patriotic Tribute for 250th Anniversary of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps During LA Fleet Week

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Friday’s Celebration Will Feature Flyovers, Live Music, Military Displays, and Family-Friendly Activities The Grove will welcome the United States Navy...

Prosecutors Weigh Hate Crime Charges After Lesbian Woman Beaten at Illinois McDonald’s

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Kady Grass Suffered Serious Injuries in Alleged Anti-LGBTQ+ Assault Authorities in Kane County, Illinois, are considering filing hate crime charges...

Governor Announces Early Reopening of Pacific Coast Highway After Wildfire Closures

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Major Stretch of PCH Reopens May 23 After Months of Wildfire-Related Closures Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that State Route...

Nikó Sando and Malou Coffee & Kitchen Are the Newest Additions to Brentwood’s Food Scene

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

The Duo of New Eateries Offers Refined Japanese Sandōs and Globally Influenced Coffee Brentwood has welcomed two exciting new additions...

Dawn Richard Testifies Diddy Assaulted Cassie Ventura at a WeHo Restaurant in 2010

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Combs Hit Cassie “Hard” in Front of Usher and Ne-Yo, Says Danity Kane Star Singer and former Danity Kane member...

Exclusive Interview with Cardinale du Vin’s New Chef-in-Residence Paul Chuanchaisit

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

The Westside Wine Bar Expands Its Culinary Horizons With a Bold New Menu By Dolores Quintana Cardinale du Vin is...

Memorial Day Weekend in L.A.: Rosé, Beach BBQs, and Brunches Ring in the Summer

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

The Westside Is Packed With Culinary Events, Pop-Ups, and Parties This Weekend Angelenos looking to kick off the summer season...

(Video) Interview with Chef Roy Choi for his new book The Choi of Cooking

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

We speak with the world-famous Socal Chef in Manhattan Beach at the Los Angeles Public Library.

FDA Probes Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Recalled Cucumbers Distributed in California

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

At Least 26 People Sickened and 9 Hospitalized in Multiple States  Federal health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of...

Thieves Use Cars to Smash Into Fairfax Stores in String of High-End Burglaries

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

LAPD Investigates String of Vehicle-Driven Break-Ins at Specialty Boutiques Storeowners in the Fairfax District are grappling with concerns about safety...

State Farm Seeks New Insurance Rate Hikes for California Homeowners and Renters

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Insurer Aims to Raise Premiums by up to 52% for Some Policyholders by 2026 Just one week after receiving approval...

Mayor Bass Launches Major Initiative to Boost Film Production in Los Angeles After Years of Neglect

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Facing Industry Setbacks, L.A. Rolls Out Plan to Attract On-Location Shoots In a renewed effort to preserve Los Angeles’ status...

Lisa Vanderpump, Ken Todd Settle Labor Lawsuit with Former Pump Employees for $490K

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Judge Approves Final Class-Action Settlement in Long-Running Wage Dispute Lisa Vanderpump and her husband, Ken Todd, have reached a final...