N.H. driver's licenses will soon have an 'other' option

CONCORD - A new law announced by the governor on Thursday allows for a third choice for gender identification on state driver's license beginning next year.

Sponsored by State Rep. Gerri Cannon, D-Somersworth, HB 669 gives drivers the choice of "M" "F" or "X" when noting what gender they are to be listed as.

According to the language of the bill, "X" stands for "other."

Gerri Cannon ... said move is consistent with what is happening across the country (Courtesy photo)

The bill, which became law without the governor's signature, takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

Cannon, an openly transgender female, said on Thursday that while the bill passed easily on voice votes - mostly along party lines - several of her Republican colleagues expressed their approval of her bill.

Other language that was revised in the bill before passage included changing the verbiage of the question from "what is your 'sex?'" to "what is your 'gender?'" something Cannon said was done to be "consistent with what is going on around the country."

Cannon explained it this way: "Sex is who you do things with; gender is who you are."

Both the state's Department of Motor Vehicles and law enforcement agencies have been very supportive of her bill, she said.

New Hampshire is the 13th state to add such language to driver's license.