Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed the State Department to stop processing passport applications that require the “X” gender marker, which is used by many transgender and non-binary individuals. The new directive, announced Thursday, January 23, marks a major shift in U.S. policy regarding gender representation in public documents.
Rubio’s decision follows the signing of a controversial executive order by former President Donald Trump claiming that the U.S. government recognizes only two genders: male and female. The order requires all federal documents, including passports, to reflect an individual’s biological sex, which is strictly defined as either male or female.
The email obtained by guardian“American policy is that a person’s gender cannot be changed,” Rubio said. He directed the State Department to “suspend applications requesting a gender marker of X” and “suspend applications in which the applicant seeks a change in gender marker,” as defined in the executive order.
Existing passports with an “X” gender marker will remain valid, but future applications and renewals may encounter significant delays or denials based on the new policy. This policy change primarily affects transgender and nonbinary U.S. citizens who have traditionally used the “X” option as a way to more accurately reflect their gender identity.
Laws reflect broader anti-trans movement
The policy comes as part of a broader legislative push led by the Trump administration to limit recognition of gender diversity. The presidential order is of the title “Protecting Women from Gender Ideological Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” would allow a person’s biological sex to be shown as male or female on identification documents, including passports and visas. Mandatory. This wording includes definitions of “male” and “female” based solely on reproductive biology, with “female” being those who produce larger reproductive cells (eggs) and “men” being those who produce larger reproductive cells (eggs); It is described as a person who produces small reproductive cells. (sperm).
However, this term has been widely criticized by medical experts and transgender advocates for failing to account for the complexities of gender and gender identity. Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender state lawmaker in the United States, called the executive order’s language glaringly flawed.
talk to independent personMcBride, who is transgender, humorously quipped, “President Trump just declared them all female during pregnancy, based on the language of the executive order.” McBride’s comments highlight the scientific inaccuracy of this biological definition of the order, as regardless of sex chromosomes, embryos initially develop along a female biological pathway, with differentiation occurring later. are.
Impact on non-binary individuals
This new policy will directly impact non-binary individuals, who face increasing challenges in obtaining public recognition of their gender identity. According to estimates from Williams Institute At UCLA School of Law, approximately 16,700 nonbinary people in the United States request passports with an “X” gender mark each year. This represents 1.4% of the non-binary population, which is estimated to include approximately 1.2 million adults in the United States.
Non-binary individuals who do not identify as strictly male or female often face significant barriers when it comes to official documentation. The “X” marker, introduced as a gender-neutral option on U.S. passports in 2021, was seen as a step toward greater inclusivity and recognition of gender diversity. But Mr. Rubio’s directive could force many nonbinary Americans to choose between inaccurately identifying as male or female or risking no gender markings on their passports at all. .
Legal and social backlash
The move has drawn harsh criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates and legal experts who say it is a direct violation of transgender rights and sets back progress on gender inclusivity. Experts also say the policy contradicts the principles of gender autonomy and self-recognition that are increasingly recognized in legal systems around the world.
“This policy ignores the realities of millions of transgender and non-binary people,” one advocacy group said. “This undermines the right to self-identify and can have serious consequences for people seeking to travel, access health care, or engage in activities that require legal documentation.”
For now, the decision to suspend applications for passports with the “X” gender mark is likely to face legal challenges. Advocates claim the policy is discriminatory and unconstitutional and have vowed to fight the policy in court. The move joins other steps the Trump administration has taken to roll back protections for transgender individuals, including efforts to ban transgender people from military service and limit access to gender-affirming health care. They match.
For now, the future of gender markings on U.S. passports remains uncertain. Existing passports marked with an “X” remain valid, but those wishing to renew their passports or apply for new ones face bureaucratic hurdles and an unpleasant choice between male and female categories. You may be forced to do so.
As the United States continues to debate issues of gender identity, equality, and legal recognition, the impact of this policy is likely to extend far beyond the realm of passport applications. For many in the transgender and non-binary community, Secretary Rubio’s latest move represents a significant setback in the ongoing fight for gender recognition and inclusion.
With legal challenges looming, the outcome of this policy change may ultimately depend on the courts, but for now advocates say the rights of transgender and non-binary Americans It is determined to push back against what it sees as a direct attack on the United States.
Source: Gayety – gayety.co
