Starting on January 1, 2019, New York City will allow all those born in the city to either change the gender they were assigned or choose the gender-neutral marker “X” on their birth certificate without a medical affidavit.New York City mayor Bill de Blasio’s office tweeted, “To all trans and non-binary New Yorkers: We see you, hear you and respect you. Starting in 2019, all New Yorkers will be able to change their gender on their birth certificate to M, F or X — without a doctor’s note.”

In a statement to NBC news, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who introduced the bill, said,”Today is a historic day for New York in its role as a worldwide champion for inclusivity and equality. I especially want to thank the LGBTQ community for their advocacy and work on this issue to keep New York City in its rightful place as a leader in human rights.”

Toby Adams, executive director of the Intersex & Genderqueer Recognition Project (IGRP), told NBC News, “It’s really damaging legally and psychologically to have your gender identity misidentified, and there are so many places where we have to show our ID.”

The new law allows parents to change their child’s gender on their certificate before they are 18. However, the law is not statewide and does not yet apply to driver licenses.

Currently, the National Center for Transgender Equality’s ID Documents Center reports that only California and Oregon provide both gender-neutral birth certificates and driver licenses. New Jersey is set to become the next place to allow for gender-neutral markers on birth certificates on Feb. 1, 2019.