People who identify as non-binary have the option to list their sex designation as "X" on state driver’s licenses, while new rules went into effect on Wednesday.
Anyone who doesn’t feel as though the standard ‘male’ or ‘female’ driver’s license designations are the best description for them can change it.
A.C.L.U. of Michigan LGBT Rights Attorney Jay Kaplan says in the past, trans-people had trouble cashing checks, voting, and dealing with law enforcement.
“Often their inaccurate state ID outed them as trans subjecting them to discrimination harassment and at times violence.”
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says she’s not expecting people who hold her office in the future to change the rules.
“I would hope and expect that anyone occupying this office would act similarly to protect our residents and ensure we're an inclusive state.”
Benson says a recent overhaul in state identification technology finally allowed for the change in rules.