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New “Gender X” Policy for U.S. Passports Makes History

New “Gender X” Policy for U.S. Passports Makes History

Gender X

Progress is being made in an exciting and hopeful way. On Wednesday, June 30, 2021, The U.S State Department announced a new policy for gender markings on U.S passports. The policy stated its moving toward inclusivity for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming applicants by implementing an “X” gender marker option. The policy also noted that medical certification to change the previous gender marker on U.S. passports will no longer be required or requested by the Passport Office. Although this is a huge step forward for non-gender-conforming beings the State Department unveiled they’re unable to provide a realistic or exact timeline for when this “X” gender marker will be implemented and become available.

“Today’s announcement by the U.S. State Department is an important step towards equality and fairness for non-binary, transgender, and intersex people. It is a critical recognition by the government that we ourselves are the arbiters of who we are. Removing the doctor’s letter requirement means passport changes are more accessible to the many trans people who do not have access to medical care, whether due to cost, lack of transportation, discrimination, or any other reason, and provides the safety and dignity of having identity documents that align with who we are.” said Charlie Arrowood, Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, Name Change Project, Counsel member.

In a recent study published by the Williams Institute they found the first ever estimate of non binary humans living throughout the U.S to be roughly 1.2 million. That estimate alone highlights the significance this new policy change would make in the lives of these non gender conforming U.S citizens. 

While lack of details on when this change can be made it’s still a win in the eyes of Lambda Legal plaintiff, intersex, and non binary U.S. Navy veteran Dana Zzyym. Zzyym does not self identify as either male nor female and has been at war in legal battles for over six years just to receive an accurate U.S passport. In forcing intersex beings to choose either “male or female” it just reinforces inaccurate data along with enforcing feelings of unacceptance of one’s identity. Zzyym is currently serving as the associate director for Intersex Campaign for Equality. They have been invited to numerous international intersex conferences, but aren’t able to attend due to the fact they cannot provide the essential travel document a passport.

Lambda Legal is a national organization for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and anyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Lambda Legal stays committed to achieving full recognition of civil rights for their marginalized clients. If you’re inquiring more information on Lambda Legal, visit lambdalegal.org

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