Maine Becomes the Fourth State to Offer Gender-Neutral Licenses

Following in the steps of Oregon, California, and Washington, Maine has become the fourth state in the US to offer gender-neutral licenses.

Last June, Ian-Meredythe Dehne Lindsey requested a driver’s license with a non-binary gender marker. When denied because of "current computer system limitations," he filed an official complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission. 

Now he's celebrating his state's decision.

"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," Dehne Lindsey said.

Upon completion of a Gender Designation Form, the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles has added "X" as a gender marker option on licenses available July 2019, and is currently issuing stickers for IDs or licenses stating, "Gender has been changed to X – Non-binary."

Quinn Gormley, executive director of Maine TransNet, praised the decision in a statement.

"This change represents the next major step towards full legal recognition of the lives of transgender Mainers. Affirming and accurate IDs help to break down significant barriers to housing, employment, and education faced by many transgender people. We’re celebrating this progress, and the visibility it brings to beloved non-binary members of our community."