NYC Gives First Known Intersex Birth Certificate

2016 gave us at least one parting gift to be grateful for.

Sara Kelly Keenan of California received the nation's first known birth certificate that lists gender as "intersex." New York City issued Keenan the certificate last week.

"As far as interACT is aware, [Keenan's] is the first birth certificate with the designation 'intersex,'" said interact Deputy Legal Director Alesdair Ittelson.
Keenan, who prefers feminine pronouns, is the second person in the United States to have a non-binary gender on their birth certificate. "We are aware of one other reissued birth certificate that reads 'hermaphrodite' and several that do not have a sex specified," Ittelson said.

This may be a step in the right direction for non-binary and intersex individuals looking to fix the gender classification on their documents. The sex listed on a person's birth certificate can influence other important documentation, such as passports and other identifications.

Keenan told NBC OUT: "Not all intersex people will choose to identify legally as intersex, and not all parents will choose to have their intersex child identified as intersex on birth documents. But for those who do, the option must exist."