FILE – This May 25, 2021 file photo shows a U.S. Passport cover in Washington. The United States has issued its first passport with an “X” gender designation, a milestone in the recognition of the rights of people who don't identify as male or female. (AP Photo/Eileen Putman)
The State Department announced Wednesday it has issued the first American passport with an “X” gender designation. The “X” recognizes people who do not identify as male or female, including nonbinary, intersex and gender-nonconforming people. The department had originally announced the addition of the “X” gender designation back in June.
“We look forward to offering this option to all routine passport applicants once we complete the required system and form updates in early 2022,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a press statement. “I want to reiterate, on the occasion of this passport issuance, the Department of State’s commitment to promoting the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people – including LGBTQI+ persons.”
In another recent change, the department also allows passport applicants to self-select their gender as male or female. It used to require them to provide medical certification if their gender did not match listed on their other identification documents.
The United States joins a handful of countries in allowing its citizens to designate a gender other than male or female on passports. These countries include Australia, New Zealand, Nepal and Canada. U.S. special diplomatic envoy for LGBTQ rights Jessica Stern said the addition of the “X” gender designation brings the government documents in line with a wider spectrum of gender expressions than what is reflected in the previous two designations.
“We see this as a way of affirming and uplifting the human rights of trans and intersex and gender-nonconforming and nonbinary people everywhere,” Stern said. “When a person obtains identity documents that reflect their true identity, they live with greater dignity and respect.”
Prominent conservative lawmaker responses to the news focused less on the new gender designation, and more on the U.S.’s military withdrawal from Afghanistan back in August.
Joe Biden and his administration can't give a clear answer on how many Americans they left stranded in Afghanistan but they had the time and attention to start issuing passports with the "X gender marker." https://t.co/k9SFiJKlac
FILE – This May 25, 2021 file photo shows a U.S. Passport cover in Washington. The United States has issued its first passport with an “X” gender designation, a milestone in the recognition of the rights of people who don't identify as male or female. (AP Photo/Eileen Putman)
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