In a controversial move, former President Donald Trump has issued an executive order eliminating the ‘X’ gender marker on U.S. passports. The decision reverses a policy implemented during the Biden administration, which allowed non-binary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming individuals to select ‘X’ instead of ‘M’ or ‘F’ on official travel documents.
The executive order, signed early Monday, has sparked significant debate among policymakers, advocacy groups, and the general public. Supporters of the decision argue that passports should reflect biological sex as a matter of security and consistency. “Clear identification is crucial for national security,” said a Trump spokesperson. “This decision restores order to our travel documentation system.”
On the other hand, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and civil rights organizations have condemned the move, calling it a step backward for inclusivity and human rights. “Eliminating the ‘X’ marker erases recognition for non-binary individuals and disregards their existence,” said a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign. Protests have erupted in major cities, with demonstrators demanding that the order be overturned.
Legal experts predict challenges to the order, with some suggesting that it may face lawsuits on constitutional grounds. “This change could violate anti-discrimination protections,” said a constitutional law professor at Georgetown University. “There will likely be legal battles ahead.”
The State Department has confirmed that it will comply with the executive order immediately, meaning that new passport applications and renewals will no longer offer the ‘X’ option. Individuals who currently hold passports with the ‘X’ marker are being advised to update their documentation.
This executive order adds to the ongoing national conversation about gender identity and legal recognition. While some view the move as a necessary rollback of what they call excessive identity politics, others see it as an attack on the rights and dignity of non-binary and gender-nonconforming individuals.
As the debate unfolds, all eyes are on Congress and the judiciary to see whether legal action or legislative efforts will attempt to counteract Trump’s directive. For now, the U.S. passport system will return to recognizing only male and female gender markers, leaving many affected individuals uncertain about their travel and identification rights.
