California Bill Would Recognize a Nonbinary, Third Gender

California may become the first state in the nation to legally recognize a nonbinary gender for those identifying as neither male nor female. Oregon was the first state to legally grant a person with nonbinary status and its DMV is considering offering a third gender option on driver’s licenses. California Senate Bill 179 would go a step further, recognizing nonbinary as a legal gender on official state issued documents including birth certificates and by making it easier to change one’s gender status in court. We discuss SB 179, its prospect of passing and the implications if it does.