First “non-binary” identity card issued in Chile

On Friday, Chile’s civil registry office issued the first identity card to a “non-binary” person after the Court of Appeals ruled in her favor.

“It’s not a victory for me; it’s a collective victory,” said Shane Cienfuegos, the first person to have an ‘X’ in the gender section of their ID card. Cienfuegos called the event “historic.”

The Chilean Civil Court ruled against Cienfuegos’ recognition as a non-binary person in November 2021, although the Court of Appeals modified the original decision in July this year.

This is the first time a non-binary identity card has been issued in Chile and the third case in the entire South American continent.

This is an exceptional case, as there is no formal mechanism in the South American country to change the gender on the identity card.

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