The state of Michigan is considering adding a third gender option for residents applying for driver’s licenses.
“We’re exploring with the vendor whether there’s a possibility to add a nonbinary designation,” a secretary of state spokesperson recently told the Detroit News. “At this exploratory stage, we have not yet finished the analysis of whether or not legislative approval would be needed to include a nonbinary option.”
If the idea comes to fruition, Michigan would be the 14th state to make such a change. It’s unclear how the designation would appear on licenses and whether the new designation could be accomplished through an administrative rule change.
The possibility of a new designation comes after the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and a coalition of gay and transgender rights activists requested a third gender option early last year. If the initiative gains traction, it could be implemented as soon as 2021.
