Medford judge denies petition for gender-neutral designation

Published 1:30 am Monday, November 21, 2016

MEDFORD, Ore. — A judge has denied a Medford resident’s request to identify as neither male nor female.

Jackson County Circuit Court Benjamin Bloom on Thursday denied Amiko-Gabriel Oscar Blue petition, saying he does not believe Oregon law allows him to grant her a neutral or nonbinary gender designation.

Blue said she was surprised by the judge’s denial, since a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge in June allowed Jamie Shupe to legally change to a nonbinary designation. Experts believe it was the first ruling of its kind in the U.S.

The Mail-Tribune reported that judges in Oregon have delivered mixed decisions on the issue, though most have said neutral or nonbinary designations are not allowed.

Blue said she has never identified as male or female. Another judge denied a similar request she made in 2015.