New Jersey adds X gender marker on driver’s licenses and other state identification

New Jersey has now added X gender to driver’s licenses and other identification.

The additional gender option was officially made available to comply with part of legislation passed in 2018 to allow residents to change their gender identification more easily, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) announced.

X gender will indicate a gender is unspecified, and it will be offered alongside the existing “M” (male) and “F” (female) gender options on licenses and IDs.

It will be offered not only to New Jersey residents who identify as non-binary, but for anyone who prefers that their gender not be specified on their license or ID.

“Diversity and inclusion are core values for New Jersey, and for all of us at the MVC. We know this new option will be deeply impactful for many residents, as access to resources and the ability to live and work freely so often hinges on having documentation that correctly reflects your identity,” said MVC Chief Administrator Sue Fulton.

The change was originally planned for 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the commissioner said.

The change comes as a wave of states have moved in recent years to allow for more gender identifiers on state documentation. New Jersey will be one of at least 20 states to allow “X” gender markers on driver’s licenses, according to the Movement Advancement Project.

“We’re thrilled that New Jersey has joined 19 other states and Washington, DC in offering X gender markers on driver’s licenses and state IDs,” said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality. “This option will allow New Jerseyans, particularly nonbinary and intersex people, to enjoy a right many of us take for granted – having ID that accurately reflects who we are. We applaud the MVC for taking another step to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ New Jerseyans.”