Wisconsin adds gender neutral option to birth certificates

Wisconsin is moving to allow birth certificates to include gender-neutral language when identifying the parents of a child.

Gov. Tony Evers (D) and the state’s Department of Health Services made an announcement on Monday that the new option will become available beginning July 1, according to a local Fox News station.

The new option will allow Wisconsin parents to select “parent-parent” on the official form in addition to the existing “mother-father” option.

“This change reflects my and my administration’s commitment to gender-neutral terminology and to recognizing that Wisconsin families are diverse and should be valued and respected,” Evers said of the change, according to Fox News. “I am glad to see this change being made as we continue to update our state policies and procedures to better reflect the Wisconsinites we serve.” 

The updated birth forms will also include “parent giving birth” as an option that will be consistent with the state’s other Vital Records public-facing forms that use wording such as spouse-spouse along with other gender-neutral language, the news outlet noted.

The forms will also available in English, Spanish and Hmong starting July 1, and parents can also opt to update the label on already existing birth certificates to note parent-parent as opposed to mother-father by contacting the Vital Records Office.

New York state passed a bill earlier this month that allows people who identify as neither male nor female to have a gender-neutral “X” to designate their gender on birth certificates and driver licenses.