The Quebec government has announced driver’s licenses and health insurance cards can now be marked with an “X” for trans-identifying individuals to be recognized as, instead of male or female. 

Individuals who identify as transgender, non-binary, or do not identify as female or male will now be able to select an “X” gender marker on official documents.

In other words, the government has officially decided that an individual’s self-identification on official documentation is more important than their actual identity. It remains unclear if individuals will be able to self-identify with their own perceived height, or age, in comparison to their actual height and age.

The government recently indicated reluctance to consider the move until an advisory committee on gender identity issues had their say.

“Following the findings of the committee, the government decided to go ahead with the X marker for the health insurance card and driver’s license,” Catherine Pelletier, a spokesperson for the Family Minister stated.

Trans right groups had criticized the committee before its recommendations appeased them. Initially, the activists were concerned about the lack of openly transgender or non-binary individuals among the committee members.

Prior to this development, Quebec had already permitted the use of the gender-neutral “X” marker on civil status documents, such as birth certificates.