RantCrush Top 5: December 30, 2016

In New York, 55-year-old Sara Kelly Keenan became the first American to obtain a birth certificate that says “intersex” instead of “male” or “female.” Keenan, who uses female pronouns, was born with male genes, female genitalia, and mixed internal reproductive organs. Her new birth certificate was issued by New York City, because she was born there, but she now lives in California. And this isn’t her first time making history–Keenan had previously become the first California resident, and second American, to change her gender to “non-binary” in September. She didn’t even know she was intersex for most of her adult life, but now she is proud to hopefully pave the way for more intersex individuals to obtain correct birth certificates.

An intersex birth certificate has been issued in the US for the first known time. https://t.co/mQIqhU6EQ3 – @NBCOUT pic.twitter.com/6LNjGBbw37

— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) December 29, 2016

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.