Province now allowing gender X on ID for people who do not identify as either male or female

People who do not identify as either male or female can now use an X designation on B.C.-issued identification, including a driver’s licence, birth certificate, identity card and B.C. Services card.

The ministries of Health, Attorney General and Citizens Services say they have worked together on changes to government documents as a way to respect issues related to the continuum of gender identity. Attorney General David Eby said in a news release that a lack of an alternative for people who do not identify with the male or female designation has resulted in cases that were being considered at the Human Rights Tribunal.

Gwen Haworth, project manager for Trans Care B.C., a provincial program to support transgender health, said in a statement that having identification documents that reflect who a person is improves access to services, such as education, employment and housing.

People born in British Columbia can change their gender designation on an identity document by submitting a change of gender designation application along with a copy of their doctor’s or psychologist’s confirmation form, to the Vital Statistics Agency.

Those who were born outside of British Columbia, but are now residents of the province, can submit a B.C. Services Card change of gender designation application, with a copy of a doctor’s or psychologist’s confirmation form, to Health Insurance B.C.