The Trump administration has decided to eliminate the “X” gender option from U.S. passport applications, leaving current passport holders in limbo regarding their status.
This initiative emerged on President Donald Trump’s first day in office, framed under the executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” A significant provision of this order mandates that all government-issued identification, such as passports, visas, and Global Entry cards, must accurately reflect a person’s biological sex as either male or female.
In a contrasting move, the United States introduced the “X” designation in 2022, allowing non-binary, intersex, and non-gender conforming individuals to identify themselves on passport applications. This inclusive measure was also adopted by various federal travel programs, including the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s PreCheck program. For further details on the introduction of “X” in U.S. travel documents, see this article.
The executive order does not outline the mechanics of transitioning away from the “X” designation, nor does it clarify the implications for individuals currently holding passports with this gender classification. Paul D. Castillo, deputy legal director for LGBTQ+ civil rights organization Lambda Legal, noted that as of January 21, the option for “X” remained accessible on the U.S. State Department’s online passport application form. For up-to-date information regarding passport options, visit the U.S. State Department’s passport page.
Business Travel News attempted to gain more insights from the State Department but found that a spokesperson could not provide any additional information regarding the changes.
Brandon Wolf, a representative of the Human Rights Campaign, pointed out that validly issued passports are not subject to revocation due to “regulatory safeguards.” However, it remains uncertain if the State Department plans to maintain these protections when enacting this new directive. Wolf elaborated that, “Broadly, this executive order means that additional rules will need to be promulgated or significant administrative guidance will need to be issued.”
Castillo, who represented Dana Zzyym—an intersex and nonbinary U.S. Navy veteran—remarked that Zzyym received the first U.S. passport with the “X” designation after a lengthy six-year legal struggle. He mentioned that Lambda Legal will soon provide detailed information on the implications of the executive order for the LGBTQ+ community. “We continue to monitor the situation, especially for people with active applications,” Castillo urged. He encouraged those affected to consult Lambda Legal’s help desk for assistance.
Internationally, 17 countries currently recognize non-binary or third gender identities, according to Equaldex. However, following the recent executive order, the U.S. is not among those nations recognizing such identities.
For additional coverage, refer to Business Travel News.
