US passports to allow ‘X’ as gender marker, State Dept. says
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration Thursday announced several measures intended to make federal forms of identification, applications for federal programs and travel documents more inclusive for Americans who identify as transgender or nonbinary, or who otherwise do not conform to traditional gender roles.
One long-awaited change will give Americans the option of indicating their gender with an “X” on passports starting April 11.
The plan was announced last summer, shortly after the State Department rescinded a rule requiring a certificate from a doctor stating that an applicant had transitioned or was in the process of transitioning in order to change their gender on their passport.
The Transportation Security Administration will also offer the “X” option for gender for applicants to its Trusted Traveler programs, which expedite travelers at U.S. airports and across international borders, beginning April 11.
The announcement Thursday was part of the Biden administration’s recognition of Transgender Day of Visibility.
The administration announced several actions to make the federal government more inclusive for transgender people and said the Health and Human Services Department will be the first agency to fly a trans pride flag.
The steps come as Republican leaders have advanced state measures targeting transgender people as part of a broader push to stoke culture wars.
The Biden administration said the option of the “X” category would soon be expanded to applications for federal student aid, discrimination complaints with the Equal Opportunity Commission and the White House’s security system for workers and visitors.
Activists said allowing Americans to identify by a gender other than the one on their birth certificate on other official documents was a huge step, given that many people face hurdles in changing or obtaining other forms of identification. More than 20 states provide a gender-neutral option of X on driver’s licenses.