Hunter Schafer, the 26-year-old actress renowned for her role as Jules in HBO’s “Euphoria,” recently shared a distressing experience regarding her new passport. In a candid TikTok video posted on February 21, 2025, Schafer revealed that her newly issued passport incorrectly lists her gender as male, a change she attributes to recent federal policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Schafer recounted that her previous passport, which accurately reflected her female gender marker, was stolen during a trip to Barcelona last year. Upon returning to the United States, she applied for a replacement, ensuring she selected “female” on the application, consistent with her identification since her teenage years. However, upon receiving the new passport, she was shocked to find it marked with an “M” for male. Schafer speculated that this discrepancy might stem from her birth certificate, which still lists her as male, and the recent policy changes mandating federal documents to reflect sex assigned at birth.
This incident follows an executive order signed by President Trump on his first day back in office, titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” The order directs federal agencies to recognize only two sexes, male and female, as assigned at birth, effectively prohibiting changes to gender markers on official documents like passports.
In her video, Schafer expressed her frustration and concern over the practical implications of this policy. She highlighted that, despite her established identity and previous documentation aligning with her gender, the new policy disregards her lived experience. Schafer emphasized that while the incorrect gender marker doesn’t change her identity, it poses significant challenges, particularly when traveling internationally. She anticipates increased scrutiny and the uncomfortable necessity of disclosing her transgender status to border officials, stating, “I’m pretty sure it’s gonna come along with having to out myself to Border Patrol agents and that whole gig much more often than I would like to or is really necessary.”
Schafer’s experience underscores the broader impact of the administration’s policies on the transgender community. By enforcing gender markers based solely on birth-assigned sex, many transgender individuals face misrepresentation in their official documents, leading to potential discrimination and logistical hurdles in daily life. Advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have condemned these policies, arguing that they infringe upon the rights and identities of transgender people. Legal challenges are underway, aiming to contest the executive order and its ramifications.
Despite the distressing situation, Schafer conveyed a message of resilience and solidarity. She stated, “I just wanna say trans people are beautiful. We are never going to stop existing. … f*** this administration.”
Schafer’s openness about her experience brings attention to the tangible effects of policy decisions on individuals’ lives. It highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the transgender community in the pursuit of recognition and equality. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of inclusive and affirming policies that respect and validate each person’s identity.
