Mass. Senate approves bill for gender-neutral option on driver's licenses

BOSTON — On Thursday, the State Senate passed a bill that would establish a gender-neutral identity option for Massachusetts driver’s licenses.

The “Gender X” legislation will allow applicants for a driver’s license, learner’s permit or ID card to choose “X” instead of male or female as their gender.

The bill was inspired by a letter from one of Senator Karen E. Spilka’s constituents Ella.

“When I received Ella’s letter, it was so clear that this was a young person with a very strong sense of self,” said Senator Spilka in a press release. “For those who do not fit neatly into the traditional categories of “male” or ‘female,” a non-binary option is a simple way to ensure their ID matches their true lived gender identity.”

The bill also prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles from requiring documentation for a person's designated gender identity.

It is a zero-cost bill because the RMV already had the option in its recent computer overhaul, working with members of the Transgender Political Action Coalition, like Executive Director Mason Dunn.

"Just to have a piece of plastic that affirms our identity is critical," Dunn said. "You think about how often you use your license. Every time you travel or buy alcohol or all sorts of situations."

Sylvian Bruni of the Boston Pride said the move was a big step moving towards equality.

"There are over 10 countries in the world that have this recognition of third gender or Gender X available to their citizens," Bruni said. "Canada, Germany, Australia, so it's important that people get on the bandwagon and actually provide that equality to everyone."

Andrew Beckwith of the Massachusetts Family Institute, a critic of the move, released a statement on the decision.

"Driver’s licenses and other forms of ID are legal documents intended to reflect objective facts, like height, date of birth, current address, and sex," the statement read. "I may desire to be 6’5", or identify as a 25-year-old, but I’m 6-foot-zero and 41 years old, and that’s what goes on my driver’s license.”

Massachusetts joins Oregon, California, Maine and Washington D.C. as the only states allowing a gender-neutral option on licenses.

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The house is next to vote on their version of the bill.

If approved, the Gender X option will be available starting November 1.

Cox Media Group