The State Department Suspends Passports with "X" Gender Marker
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered the immediate suspension of all passport applications with the "X" gender marker, a third option introduced by the agency under the Biden administration for nonbinary, intersex, and other gender nonconforming individuals. This decision aligns with President Donald Trump's recent executive order halting federal recognition of gender identities.
The suspension applies to both new applications and requests to change gender markers on existing passports. Passports with the "X" marker, first issued in April 2022, will remain valid until their expiration date, but individuals with these passports will need to choose either "male" or "female" when renewing their passports if the policy remains in effect.
The policy change has been met with criticism from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who argue that it denies science and will make life more difficult for intersex, nonbinary, and transgender people. Lambda Legal, a legal group specializing in LGBTQ+ civil rights cases, has stated that they will challenge the new policy.
The State Department's decision to suspend "X" gender marker passports is the latest development in a long-running legal battle over the issue. In 2015, an intersex individual was denied a passport without a male or female gender marker, leading to a legal challenge that continued through the Trump administration and into Biden's first year in office. The Biden administration ultimately announced it would begin issuing "X" gender markers, but this policy has now been reversed by the Trump administration.
5 Comments
Rotfront
This policy does not affect the rights of intersex or non-binary people. They are still free to identify however they choose, but they cannot expect the government to recognize their identity on official documents.
Matzomaster
This decision is a slap in the face to everyone who has fought for LGBTQ+ rights. It sends a message that we are not equal, that our identities don't matter. We will not be silenced!
Karamba
This policy does not discriminate against anyone. People with "X" marker passports can still travel internationally, they just need to choose either "male" or "female." This is a reasonable compromise that respects everyone's rights.
Rotfront
God bless America! We will not allow the radical left to destroy our country. We will fight for our freedom and our future!
Matzomaster
The "X" marker is just a way for people to avoid identifying as male or female. This is a slippery slope that will lead to further confusion and societal breakdown. We need to stick to the basics and uphold the traditional values of our country.