Puerto Rico Supreme Court allows 'X' as a third gender choice on birth certificates

Activists on Monday celebrated a decision by Puerto Rico's Supreme Court to allow nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people to update their birth certificates.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Activists on Monday celebrated a decision by Puerto Rico's Supreme Court to allow nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people to update their birth certificates.

The ruling comes after a group of six nonbinary people filed a lawsuit against Puerto Rico's governor, its health secretary and other officials.

The ruling means that nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people will now be able to select 'X' as their gender marker on birth certificates.

Pedro Julio Serrano, president of Puerto Rico's LGBTQ Federation, called Friday's ruling a historic one that upholds equality.

Meanwhile, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón told reporters that she was awaiting recommendations from Puerto Rico's Justice Department regarding the ruling.