Gender neutral passports come to the US

On March 31st, which is official now doned Transgender Day of Visibility, President Joe Biden also announced that the federal government is taking steps to allow transgender Americans to mark their gender on their passports with an X. In addition to the gender neutral passport markings, he said the federal government is also taking steps to simplify the process of changing gender markers with the Social Security Administration as well. 

“To transgender Americans of all ages, I want you to know that you are so brave. You belong. I have your back,” said President Biden.

Being able to mark themselves as gender neutral on identity cards is a huge win for the transgender community in the United States right now, as many states around the country are working tirelessly to create an unsafe environment determined to strip trans Americans of their ability to thrive. 

Republicans are coming for our trans youth. Since the beginning of 2022, at least seven states – all Republican – have put forth bills that target trans and non-binary kids. From prohibiting them from participating in sports, through to blocking them from receiving gender affirming care. Texas is going so far as to require parents of trans kids to be reported to the state as engaging in acts of child abuse for allowing their trans kids to be who they are.

The ability to declare oneself as gender neutral on a passport, and the recognition of Transgender Visibility Day is a huge win for the trans community in the United States. However, when it is juxtaposed against all of these legislative pushes against the community at the state level really paints a truer picture of just what it means to be a transgendered American right now. 

It is predicted that about 4 million Americans identify as either non-binary or transgendered. Gender markers can be changed on passports effective immediately.