In a landmark decision cheered by advocates, Puerto Rico’s federal district court has ruled in favor of allowing nonbinary and gender-nonconforming individuals to update their birth certificates. This decision marks a significant step toward inclusivity and recognition of diverse gender identities in the territory.
The court’s decision follows a lawsuit initiated by six nonbinary individuals against the governor, the health secretary, and other officials of Puerto Rico. As a result, people will now have the option to choose ‘X’ as their gender marker on birth certificates, a provision that was previously unavailable.
Pedro Julio Serrano, leader of Puerto Rico’s LGBTQ+ Federation, hailed the ruling as a historic victory for equality. He emphasized the importance of this development in advancing the rights of nonbinary and gender-nonconforming citizens.
While the ruling is celebrated by many, Puerto Rico’s Governor, Jenniffer González Colón, stated that she is currently awaiting guidance from the Justice Department regarding the implications of the court’s decision.
This recent development comes more than seven years after a U.S. federal court mandated that the Puerto Rican government permit transgender individuals to amend their gender on birth certificates, a move that stemmed from a separate lawsuit.
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