B.C. says gender on ID cards can now be changed without doctor’s confirmation

VICTORIA — The British Columbia government says gender markers on provincial identification cards can now be changed without the confirmation of a doctor or psychologist.

Grace Lore, parliamentary secretary for gender equity, says the change will reduce a barrier that two-spirit, transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse people face when trying to change their identification documents.

Citizens’ Services Minister Lisa Beare says the change follows the introduction in 2018 of “X” as a third, non-specific gender option for government identification.

B.C.’s gender equity office and the ministries of Health and Citizens’ Services say in a statement that the change also follows the earlier removal of a requirement that an individual must have surgery before changing their birth certificate.