Non-binary parent Kori Doty defends raising their baby without a gender

GMB Kori Doty genderless baby

by Eden-Olivia Lord |
Published on

Gender neutral parent Kori Doty appeared on Good Morning Britain and spoke about their genderless eight-month-old baby Searyl

It was recently reported that a Canadian baby has been given the world's first genderless identification card but now it has come to light that the eight-month-old baby named Searyl doesn't have a birth certificate.

The eight-month-old baby was born at home last November and was therefore not assigned a sex by the doctors. As a result instead of a gender of their healthcare card it instead says "undetermined/unassigned".

GMB Kori Doty genderless baby
Kori appeared on GMB to discuss their decision to raise Searyl without a gender (Credit: ITV) ©ITV / GMB

Searyl's gender neutral parent Kori Doty, who identifies as non-binary, appeared on Good Morning Britain and spoke to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on bringing up their child without a gender.

After Susanna asked how their baby could be gender neutral because they have either male or femal genitals, they explained: "Searyl’s private parts are private, whether they conform to the biological standard or not, like you said it’s not actually about the definition and gender identity which will develop later in life."

They added: "What someone's genitals look like when they are born doesn’t actually give us an accurate indication of who they will be."

Because Searyl doesn’t have a gender, they're unable to have a birth certificate because officials can't record their gender. Kori, went on to reveal that their little one will decide whether they're a girl or a boy when they're four or five years old.

Piers then asked what would happen if the baby wanted to identify as a monkey when they're older, but Kori said: "We will probably have some important conversations about beasties and science and things that are appropriate.

"Because they are human beings, they are a human being, and we are talking about gender, we are not talking about species.

"They are a human being I’m raising them as a human being."

GMB Kori Doty genderless baby
Searyl doesn't yet have a birth certificate but they do not have a registered gender (Credit: ITV) ©ITV / GMB

Kori, who identifies as non-binary, has already explained they're reason behind letting their child discover their own gender. They said in a statement: "When I was born, doctors looked at my genitals and made assumptions about who I would be, and those assignments followed me and my identification throughout my life.

"Those assumptions were incorrect, and I ended up having to do a lot of adjustments since then.

"I’m raising Searyl in such a way that until they have the sense of self and command of vocabulary to tell me who they are.

"I’m recognising them as a baby and trying to give them all the love and support to be the most whole person that they can be outside of the restrictions that come with the boy box and the girl box."

What do you think of Searyl not having a birth certificate? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

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