Following President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, the U.S. Department of State has suspended the issuance of passports with the “X” gender marker. This executive order mandates that federal documents, including passports, recognize only two genders: male and female. Consequently, applications for passports requesting the “X” gender marker or seeking changes to existing gender markers are currently on hold.
Previously, the “X” gender marker was introduced to accommodate individuals who identify as non-binary, intersex, or prefer not to specify a gender. This policy aimed to provide greater inclusivity and recognition of diverse gender identities. However, the recent executive order has reversed this progress, leading to the suspension of such passport applications.
The decision has sparked significant debate and concern among advocacy groups and individuals who identify outside the traditional gender binary. Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have expressed their intention to challenge the executive order in court, arguing that it infringes upon the rights of non-binary and intersex individuals.
As a result of this executive order, individuals seeking to obtain or amend a passport with the “X” gender marker are advised to monitor official communications from the U.S. Department of State for updates on the status of their applications. The situation remains fluid, and further legal challenges may influence the implementation of this policy.
