Canadians can now choose to have their sex identified as X on their passports, as well as other documents issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

This was emotional news for Lane MacIntosh, who uses pronouns they, them and their.

SA国际影视传媒�I bawled,SA国际影视传媒� said MacIntosh, about hearing the news. SA国际影视传媒淚 was really excited because I didn't think it was going to happen that soon.SA国际影视传媒�

Last month, the NWT became the first jurisdiction in Canada to allow a third sex on birth certificates. MacIntosh was interested in taking advantage of the change, but wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 sure how that would affect their ability to apply for a Canadian passport.

SA国际影视传媒�If one of your territories is already there, it doesn't look so hot if Ottawa's not there,SA国际影视传媒� they said.

Chelsea Thacker, executive director of the Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife, sees this as opening a door for the future, especially for the youth she works with every day.

SA国际影视传媒�It's going to tell them the world is opening up for them, at least the country is,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淣ow there's that space for them. And more people will recognize that the non-binary population exists in Yellowknife and across the country.SA国际影视传媒�

She said she's already received SA国际影视传媒減lentySA国际影视传媒� of requests from agencies and different groups across the city asking for advice on how to change the way they collect information.

SA国际影视传媒�It's super cool,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淏ecause for once I'm not always knocking on their door, they're coming and knocking on my door.SA国际影视传媒�

But it's a door people who opt for the X might still have to be cautious walking through. Nancy Chan, communications advisor for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada told Yellowknifer in an email the federal government cannot guarantee entry or transit through another country, regardless of whether their passport has an X designation. She recommended SA国际影视传媒渄iscretionSA国际影视传媒� when selecting travel destinations.  

SA国际影视传媒�Not all countries have the same values and legal systems as Canada,SA国际影视传媒� she stated.

Australia, Denmark, Germany and New Zealand all already issue passports with an X.

In many countries, where LGBTQ people face ongoing oppression and violence, the X designation could be misunderstood, rejected or even be a scarlet letter identifying non-binary people.

Chan advised it is the travellerSA国际影视传媒檚 responsibility to check with the embassy of all the countries they intend to visit or transit through.

SA国际影视传媒�I would love to see the whole entire world if I could,SA国际影视传媒� said MacIntosh.

Earlier this year, they travelled to the U.S., an experience they describe as SA国际影视传媒渧ery very scary.SA国际影视传媒�

Ideally, MacIntosh would like to see that line removed from all identification, for everyone. They described the X as a SA国际影视传媒渂andaid.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒�By not having your gender on your ID it doesn't take anything away from you,SA国际影视传媒� said MacIntosh. SA国际影视传媒淏ut having an identifier which is not correct for me, that affects me SA国际影视传媒� It's how I'm  introduced at jobs, when I go pick up medication, at airports. Everywhere. Every single thing that is of semi-importance links back to my identification.SA国际影视传媒�

Chan stated removing the sex field entirely is not on the radar at this time, however.  

SA国际影视传媒�As Canada is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Canadian passports and other travel documents must comply with international standards and specifications,SA国际影视传媒� she stated. SA国际影视传媒淭he sex field is mandatory for all international travel documents.SA国际影视传媒�