The US has started issuing gender-neutral passports. Citizens in the United States can now obtain a passport with the gender designation “X” as of Monday.
Over 1.2 million Americans who do not identify with standard gender identities or whose gender identity falls beyond the categories of man or woman will benefit from this.
This decision, however, is likely to exacerbate tensions in a country already divided on “progressive” reforms like abortion rights and gender issues.
“The world is safer”
People would not have to deal with red tape because this is now intersex or gender fluid. For most, it’s just a checkbox on a form, but for non-binary people like D. Ojeda, who became one of the first Americans to apply for a gender-neutral passport on Monday, it’s “incredible.”
Speaking to AFP, Ojeda, a social activist who uses the pronouns they/them said; “Even with my family, they still don’t get it, adding “so at least I have the government to say who I am as a person.”
Applicants can also check a box to indicate that they want to change their gender. This indicates that their preferred gender designation differs from that of their prior passport. They are also not required to produce any medical paperwork to support the transition.
“It feels like the world is safer,” said Ojeda.
An intersex individual from Colorado, US, won the right to hold a passport with an ‘X’ classification. It was in October of last year after a long court battle.
On March 31, the International Day of Transgender Visibility, the US State Department stated that this service will extend to all citizens of America. On a federal level, the department will also take some other steps to make it easier for transgender and non-binary people to navigate administrative difficulties.