US Issues First Passport With Gender 'X' Designation in Landmark Move

Social Justice

By ShaCamree Gowdy Published: October 27, 2021

US Issues First Passport With Gender ‘X’ Designation in Landmark Move

In a landmark move for equal rights, the US has confirmed it's issued the its first passport with a gender "X" marker.(Photo Source: Pixabay)

In Summary

While privacy and safety concerns are in place to keep the individual’s identity hidden, the United States has confirmed it’s issued its first passport with an “X” marker as opposed to male or female.

In a move that’s being praised as “historic and celebratory,” the United States has granted its first passport with a “X” gender designation, a landmark in the acknowledgement of the rights of people who do not identify as male or female, per The Associated Press.

The agency did not say to whom the passport was awarded or whether it was for Dana Zzyym, an intersex Colorado resident who has been fighting the department in court since 2015 after being denied a passport for failing to check male or female on an application. Zzyym opted to put “intersex” above the boxes intended for male or female designation, instead asking for an “X” gender marker.

“When a person obtains identity documents that reflect their true identity, they live with greater dignity and respect,” said U.S. special diplomatic envoy for LGBTQ rights Jessica Stern, per AP. “We see this as a way of affirming and uplifting the human rights of trans and intersex and gender-nonconforming and nonbinary people everywhere.”

In June, the State Department declared its commitment to supporting the freedom, dignity and equality of all people, including LGBTQI+ people.

“I am pleased to announce that the Department will be taking further steps toward ensuring the fair treatment of LGBTQI+ U.S. citizens, regardless of their gender or sex, by beginning the process of updating our procedures for the issuance of U.S. Passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA),” the agency said at the time.

The agency said in a statement that once the necessary system and form upgrades are done in early 2022, it plans to offer the gender “X” option to all normal passport applicants.

Applicants are already allowed to now self-identify as male or female, per AP, and are no longer required to obtain medical confirmation if their gender does not match what is on their other identifying documents.