The Trend is 'X'? Latin American Countries Recognize 'Third Gender' on ID Cards

Chilean Government Issues 'Non-Binary' ID After 9 Years of Legal Battle
Moving Beyond Binary Gender Classification... Argentina Was the First Case in Latin America

On the 16th (local time), according to the Latin American media Infobae, the Chilean government issued, for the first time in history, a non-binary ID card with an 'X' printed in the gender field on the 14th. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] Latin American countries are increasingly recognizing the designation of a 'third gender' instead of male or female in official documents.

According to Latin American media Infobae on the 16th (local time), the Chilean government issued, for the first time in history on the 14th, a non-binary identity card printed with an 'X' in the gender field.

Non-binary is a term referring to people whose gender identity falls outside the binary male-female classification. Those with a non-binary gender identity or who do not define their gender can choose 'X' as their designation.

The first person to receive this identity card is Shane Cienfuegos (29), who leads a social organization for gender neutrality diversity in Chile. After a nine-year legal battle to have the third gender officially recognized on documents, he won and received the non-binary identity card. Upon receiving the card, he said, "This is not just my victory, but everyone's victory."

In Chile, there has also been a movement to explicitly include language expanding LGBTQ+ rights in the constitution. However, this constitutional amendment was rejected in a national referendum last month and is currently being revised in the National Assembly.

The first Latin American country to recognize gender-neutral identification was Argentina in April last year. The Argentine government added an 'X' gender option on national ID cards and passports alongside male (M) and female (F). As a Catholic country, Argentina, along with Chile, is considered one of the most progressive countries in Latin America and worldwide regarding LGBTQ+ policies.

Argentina was the first in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010 and, since 2012, has allowed transgender individuals to change their gender to match their identity. Mexico and Colombia followed suit. Globally, countries such as New Zealand, Germany, Australia, and Nepal have also allowed third gender designations.

The United States has also allowed the selection of 'X' for gender on passports since April. Furthermore, the U.S. government plans to improve its systems by the end of next year to allow 'Gender X' to be indicated on passport cards, emergency passports printed at embassies, expedited and emergency passports issued at passport agencies and centers, and consular reports of birth abroad.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.