The beginning of a trend that leads to a slippery slope is underway that could lead to the systematic erosion of gender roles in America. States like Oregon and California allow a third gender option on birth certificates and now Washington is set to follow suit.
https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/5600/FiledCR-102.pdf
The new proposal would allow people to change their gender from male or female to the non-binary gender designation of "X." The current law allows for people born in Washington to petition to change their birth certificate's gender from male to female or from female to male.
That could change in the very near future. Christie Spice from the Washington Department of Health attributes the new gender designation to the fact that society is changing. Spice says, "More people are identifying as a gender other than a male or female and there’s growing demand for non-binary sex designations on all identity documents, including birth certificates."
Soon, adults could request an "X" designation on their birth certificates and legally change their gender to the non-binary "X." A public hearing will be held Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. by the Washington Department of Health. Comments are allowed online up until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The subject is already a source of heated debate with over 1,000 written comments on the subject already submitted. If the proposal passes, the new rule could go into effect as soon as next year.
Oregon law is a step ahead of Washington and their "X" gender option on birth certificates will be available January 1, 2018. Oregon was the first state in the country to allow for a third gender option for driver's licenses and identification cards.
Washington, however, is still in talks about whether it can offer a gender-neutral designation on state ID cards as well as birth certificates.
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Source: http://kuow.org/post/washington-state-may-allow-x-gender-designation-birth-certificates
