Apr 23, 2019

Kamala Harris voices support for 3rd gender option on federal ID documents

Photo: Zach Gibson/Getty Images

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said she supports including a third gender option on federal identity documents on Tuesday, Politico reports.

Where it stands: 10 states, and Washington, D.C., currently issue identity documents with options to identify as non-binary, intersex or to opt-out via an "X" on gender markers. However, the documents are inconsistent from state to state — many only include the extra options on birth certificates. Ohio technically offers intersex people a third identification option, but uses outdated language.

Between the lines: While many LGBTQ people support the opportunity to document their gender correctly and the increased visibility, others are wary of a third gender marker potentially being used for harassment by government officials.

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Axios

Updated 1 hour ago - Health

World coronavirus updates

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Axios Visuals

The number of deaths from the novel coronavirus surpassed 400,000 worldwide on Sunday morning, per Johns Hopkins.

By the numbers: Almost 6.9 million people have tested positive for COVID-19 globally and more than 3 million have recovered from the virus. The U.S. has reported the most cases in the world with over 1.9 million.

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Rebecca Falconer, Orion Rummler, Rashaan Ayesh

Updated 3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

George Floyd updates

Protesters gather north of Lafayette Square near the White House during a demonstration against racism and police brutality, in Washington, D.C. on Saturday evening. Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AFP via Getty Images

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have been rallying in cities across the U.S. and around the world to protest the killing of George Floyd. Huge crowds assembled in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Chicago for full-day events on Saturday.

Why it matters: Twelve days of nationwide protest in the U.S. has built pressure for states to make changes on what kind of force law enforcement can use on civilians and prompted officials to review police conduct. A memorial service was held for Floyd in Raeford, North Carolina, near where he was born. Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all flags to fly at half-staff to honor him until sunset.

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