Maine will now offer an additional option on new driver's licenses, becoming the first state in New England to do so.

According to WCSH 6, Mainers will now be able to choose "X," for non binary, for the gender option on the license. The movement originated from a complaint filed by EqualityMaine's board president, Zack Paakkonen, to the Maine Human Rights Commission in his capacity as attorney for Ian-Meredythe Dehne Lindsey of South Portland. They pushed for change after the BMV office denied Dehne Lindsey's request for a non-binary gender option when applying for a driver's license in June 2017.

In a written statement first reported by WCSH, Lindsey wrote “Words cannot adequately express the relief I feel, and how happy I am, that my ID will now reflect such an integral part of my identity and who I am.”

New licenses will not be introduced until next year. In the meantime, those wishing for a sticker can make a request for change.

 

 

 

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