by Kristin Lam

Three years ago, no one in the USA was legally recognized as neither male or female.

Today, thousands of people can point to a gender-neutral marker on state driver's licenses and identification cards, according to records obtained by USA TODAY.

After two more states announced plans last week to offer a gender X or nonbinary marker, advocates said momentum for the option can help validate gender identity, but the designation can also raise safety concerns.

The National Center for Transgender Equality encourages people to choose the marker that feels most appropriate and comfortable, said Arli Christian, the organization's director of state policy. More states offering the gender-neutral designation, Christian said, allows more people to access accurate IDs.

At least 7,251 gender X IDs and driver's licenses have been issued in nine states plus Washington, D.C., according to records obtained by USA TODAY from state departments. Indiana is the only state that issues gender X IDs that did not respond to USA TODAY's records request. Read more via USA Today