The Canadian Government has introduced a new gender option on its passports to protect transgender rights.
Canadians according to the latest development will soon have a third gender option ‘X’ on their passports under the new rules which is expected to kick off by the end of the month.
The latest development was made known by Canada’s Immigration Minister, Ahmed Hussen, who stated that the change is being made so that all Canadians can feel safe to be themselves and express their genders as they so wish.
Ahmed Hussen said: “By introducing an ‘X’ gender designation in our government-issued documents, we are taking an important step towards advancing equality for all Canadians regardless of gender identity or expression.”
The new gender is expected to kick off on August 31, with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC, introducing the new gender which allows people identify themselves as gender unspecific.
The Canadian government however did not state what the interim measures will include but revealed that the issuance would continue till the government can print documents with an X as against the M for Male and F for Female.
Government officials while commending the move stated that it is in line with accommodating transgender individuals and allowing them express their identity as they wish.