PennDOT to offer non-binary designation on licenses, ID cards

On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced that it will begin offering a third gender designation on all of its licenses and identification cards.

Pennsylvanians seeking a license or ID card will now have the following options:

M: Male;

F: Female;

X: Non-binary

Pennsylvania is the 16th state to offer a non-binary option. 

Pennsylvanians who already have a license or ID card and wish to change their gender designation, should fill out PennDOT form DL-32 “Request for Gender Change on Driver’s License/Identification Card.”

Changing a gender designation is free-of-charge, but changes must be made in-person at one of PennDOT’s Driver License Centers. 

In a statement, PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said, “Our identity documents are critical to how we navigate the world, and having an affirming and accurate ID is critical for access to employment, healthcare, housing and so much more. Offering equitable and inclusive services for all Pennsylvanians is central to PennDOT’s mission, and I’m proud that we’re taking this step.”

Rafael Alvarez Febo, executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs called the change “a very important step toward better serving Pennsylvanians of all gender identities.”

“Your state issued ID is quite possibly the most important identity document you use on a daily basis,” Febo said, “it should reflect your truth.”