US Customs and Border Protection recently implemented a rule requiring airlines to disregard “X” sex markers on passports and instead input “M” or “F,” leading to concerns for those with “X” markers. While “X” markers remain valid, the new rule may cause difficulty for trans and non-binary individuals, according to legal experts. Uncertainty surrounds the rule’s enforcement, potentially leaving decisions to individual agents and possibly impacting international travel. Some travelers with “X” markers may face invasive security procedures, and the new rule could disrupt their travel experiences and force them to seek legal counsel.
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Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court ruled that nonbinary and gender-nonconforming individuals can now select an ‘X’ gender marker on their birth certificates, following a lawsuit filed by six affected individuals. This decision marks a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights in the country, overturning previous limitations. The ruling builds upon a 2015 federal court order allowing transgender individuals to change their gender marker, expanding legal recognition to a broader spectrum of gender identities. Governor Jenniffer González Colón is reviewing the ruling with the Justice Department.
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Germany issued a travel advisory warning transgender and nonbinary citizens about potential U.S. entry issues stemming from President Trump’s executive order prohibiting “X” gender markers on passports. The advisory urges those with differing gender markers or entries to contact U.S. diplomatic missions beforehand. This follows Trump’s ban on transgender women in female sports and Secretary Rubio’s directive to deny visas to those suspected of misrepresenting their sex, potentially resulting in permanent bans. A lawsuit against the passport directive is currently underway.
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John Q. Hosedrinker