State Department Blocks Passports for Trans Americans, Sparking Outrage
The State Department has halted the issuance of U.S. passports with “X” gender markers, suspending all applications to update gender markers on existing passports. This action, mandated by a presidential executive order, affects transgender and nonbinary individuals, causing confusion and jeopardizing travel plans. The policy change, which reflects a move to only recognize male and female sex assigned at birth, leaves many without crucial identification documents and potentially exposes them to increased risks. This reversal of previous policy creates significant hardship and uncertainty for the affected community, highlighting a significant setback in LGBTQ+ rights.
John Q. Hosedrinker