Speeding Up Toward Driver X

Maryland Steers Closer To Driver’s Licenses With Sex Orientation Option As Third Gender Recognition Grows

The Maryland Senate recently passed a measure that will allow future drivers to choose their sexual orientation, male or female – or choose a gender neutral designation, ‘X’.

According to the American Public Health Association, since 2016, a current U.S. population size of 390 adults per 100,000, or almost 1 million adults nationally, identify as transgender (this estimate may be more indicative for younger adults, who represented more than 50% of the respondents in APHA analysis). More than one-third of transgender people describe themselves as non-binary, which the National Center for Transgender defines as "people whose gender is not exclusively male or female.

More states across the nation are beginning to recognize third gender identifiers. Washington, D.C. became the first city in the country to offer gender-neutral driver's licenses in 2017. The licenses allow people who don't identify with a gender to mark their license with an X, instead of with "male" or "female."

The bill requires an application for a license to allow someone to identify as female, male or unspecified. If an applicant identifies as a non-traditionally specified sex, the Motor Vehicle Administration would ensure the license displays an "X'' in the appropriate location.

Other states, including California, Colorado, Minnesota, Maine and Oregon, have allowed the designation of an unspecified gender on driver’s licenses.