Activists in Puerto Rico are celebrating a pivotal ruling by the island’s Supreme Court, which allows nonbinary and gender-nonconforming individuals to update their birth certificates to include ‘X’ as a gender marker. This decision stems from a lawsuit filed by six nonbinary individuals against Puerto Rico’s governor and health secretary. Pedro Julio Serrano, president of Puerto Rico’s LGBTQ Federation, hailed the ruling as a historic affirmation of equality.
The Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant step forward in LGBTQ rights, enhancing access to personal identity affirmation for nonbinary and gender-nonconforming residents. Governor Jenniffer González Colón acknowledged the ruling, stating that she is awaiting recommendations from Puerto Rico’s Justice Department on how to implement it.
This ruling follows a previous U.S. federal court mandate over seven years ago, which allowed transgender individuals in Puerto Rico to change their gender on their birth certificates. Activists view this latest ruling as a continuation of progress in ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their gender identity, are afforded the right to express and document their identity accurately. The ability to select ‘X’ on birth certificates signifies a broader acceptance and recognition of diverse gender identities in both governmental and societal contexts. The decision is seen as a significant victory for the LGBTQ community in Puerto Rico, embodying a commitment to inclusivity and equality.
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