Gender Neutral IDs? Government Considering it

The gender-neutral ID has officially been confirmed by the government in an attempt to further enhance the country’s biometric and identification system, said the Prime Minister’s Office. This also includes passports of those whose gender is outside the ‘binary standard.’ (Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)

According to Justin Trudeau, the first Canadian prime minister to march in a gay pride parade, the country is trying to explore various avenues in strengthening its identification systems as well as that of gender-neutral options regarding ID cards.

However, he preferred to not speak on other matters and added that the government is doing their best to ensure that the country has an advanced biometric system.

“That’s part of the great arc of history sweeping towards justice,” Trudeau said.

It was reported by a PMO spokeswoman that the government is taking steps to implement this decision.

“We are conducting a review of all the circumstances in which the government requires or produces identity documents in order not to exclude people whose gender identity does not match the binary standard. This could include neutrality in several situations,” Andrée-Lyne Hallé wrote in an email.

A week ago, the state of Ontario refused to permit the use of a third gender indicator, X, for driving licenses.

Other countries including New Zealand, Nepal, and Australia, however, have already allowed the use of this gender indicator.

To further emphasize in his main point, Trudeau gave an example of last month’s controversy, wherein in the gay men weren’t allowed to donate blood as it was rendered “not good enough” by the state. He added that the government is working to change that.

The country’s Blood Services have now confirmed that gay men are allowed to donate blood after a year of abstinence from having intercourse with other males.