The State Department has announced that starting April 11, all U.S. citizens will have the option to choose a gender-neutral marker on their passports. This significant change is a victory for the millions who identify as non-binary, agender, or intersex. The announcement, made just before Transgender Day of Visibility, allows passport holders to select ‘X’ in addition to male or female without needing additional documentation.
Jessica Stern, the U.S. special diplomatic envoy for LGBTQ rights, expressed that this move advances the U.S. toward recognizing the diverse spectrum of gender identities and expressions. This change occurs amid a landscape where transgender and non-binary youth and their families are facing numerous challenges, as conservative politicians target the LGBTQ+ community with harmful rhetoric.
Stern emphasized that this adjustment is not a political statement but a recognition of individuals as they are. “This policy change acknowledges the true identity of the passport holder,” she stated, highlighting the need for administrative systems to reflect the reality of gender diversity.
The policy shift is the culmination of a six-year legal battle led by Lambda Legal, focusing on Dana Zzyym, an intersex resident of Colorado who refused to identify strictly as male or female. Zzyym expressed their emotional relief and joy upon receiving their new passport, stating, “It took six years, but to have an accurate passport, one that doesn’t force me to identify as male or female but recognizes I am neither, is liberating.”
With this new passport option, the U.S. joins several countries such as Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and India that already offer a third gender option. This represents a significant advancement for trans and non-binary individuals in the U.S., who often struggle to secure identification that reflects their identity. State regulations vary regarding gender identification on driver’s licenses, with 22 states permitting an ‘X’ gender option, while others impose medical documentation and bureaucratic hurdles.
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Summary
The U.S. State Department is set to introduce gender-neutral passports starting April 11, enabling citizens to select ‘X’ as a gender marker. This policy is a significant step for non-binary, agender, and intersex individuals, reflecting a broader recognition of gender diversity. The change comes after a long legal struggle and aligns the U.S. with several other nations offering similar options.