A Vancouver filmmaker and writer has received Ontario鈥檚 first non-binary birth certificate.
Ontario-born Joshua M. Ferguson identifies as non-binary trans and uses the pronouns 鈥渢hey鈥� and 鈥渢hem.鈥�
The birth certificate is marked with an 鈥淴鈥� designation, indicating a non-binary person. Ferguson applied to Service Ontario for the document in 2017, and filed a human rights claim when it was not initially granted.
The province issued last year.
鈥淥ntario鈥檚 new policy will save lives in the trans community,鈥� Ferguson wrote in a statement on Monday. 鈥淎 birth certificate is the most vital form of ID for personhood. Being officially counted and recognized is empowering.鈥�
Ontario says it is the first jurisdiction in the world to implement a two-fold policy, allowing the selection of either male, female or non-binary, and allowing the option of not displaying such identification on a birth certificate.
Ferguson has also fought for an . They were also among the first to have their application for an .
Ferguson called the Ontario birth certificate a 鈥渧ictory,鈥� both personally and for all trans Canadians.
鈥淭his policy makes it clear that non-binary people exist,鈥� they said. 鈥淲e are Ontarians and Canadian citizens.鈥�
