Puerto Rico Court Allows Nonbinary Gender on Birth Certificates

San Juan, Puerto Rico In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico has ruled that individuals can now change the gender marker on their birth certificates to reflect a nonbinary gender identity. This ruling addresses a long-standing legal challenge and represents a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights advocates in Puerto Rico.

The case, which has been closely watched by civil rights organizations, centered on the argument that denying nonbinary individuals the ability to accurately reflect their gender identity on official documents violates their fundamental rights to privacy, equality, and self-determination. The court agreed, stating that the previous policy was discriminatory and failed to recognize the evolving understanding of gender identity.

"This decision affirms the dignity and rights of nonbinary individuals in Puerto Rico," said a spokesperson for a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group. "It sends a clear message that everyone deserves to have their identity respected and recognized by the government."

The ruling is expected to have broader implications for other areas of law and policy in Puerto Rico, including access to healthcare, education, and employment. Government agencies are now tasked with developing procedures for processing gender marker changes on birth certificates and updating other relevant policies to reflect the new legal landscape. This change brings Puerto Rico in line with other jurisdictions that have already recognized nonbinary gender identities on official documents.