Transgender Islanders will now have the option to identify the gender of their choice on their driver’s licence.
The P.E.I. government has added two new non-binary gender options of ‘gender not listed’ and ‘prefer not to say,’ which join the existing ‘male’ and ‘female’ options. The selection will appear on the licence as X, blank, M, and F respectively.
Transportation Minister Paula Biggar said the move was intended to be more inclusive for Islanders who do not identify as male or female.
“Adding two non-binary gender options to our driver’s licence is an important step in advancing equal human rights for everyone, no matter the gender identity or expression of Islanders,” Biggar said.
“We are committed to supporting the LGBTQ2S+ community, transgender people, those transitioning, and anyone who does not identify as a male or female so all Islanders feel included."
P.E.I. is the first jurisdiction in Canada to allow for the option of ‘prefer not to say’ on licences.
"We've worked very closely with the PEERS [Alliance], the LGBTQ and the transgender community to recognize that when you have a government identification and you're going through security, it's very important that your privacy be respected," Biggar said.
Changes to the driver’s licence will be available starting Dec. 4 at all Access P.E.I. locations.
