State Department suspends processing passport applications with ‘X’ gender marker
3 min readThe U.S. State Department has announced that it will suspend the processing of passport applications that request an “X” gender marker, aligning with a recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump. This decision means that the U.S. government will only issue passports with a male or female gender marker, effectively discontinuing the option for those who identify as non-binary, intersex, or gender non-conforming.
The suspension of the “X” marker aligns with the directive from President Trump’s executive order, which emphasizes the government’s policy of recognizing only two sexes—male and female. The executive order states that these sexes are fixed and cannot be changed, reflecting the administration’s view on gender identity.
A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed the suspension, explaining that all passports issued will reflect an individual’s biological sex as defined by the executive order. This change directly reverses a policy put in place under the Biden administration that allowed Americans to choose “X” as a gender marker beginning in April 2022. Prior to this, gender markers on U.S. passports had traditionally been limited to male or female options.
The department also confirmed that no new passports with the “X” gender marker would be issued moving forward. It further stated that guidance regarding previously issued passports with the “X” marker would be provided in the near future. These changes are part of a broader shift that reflects the Trump administration’s stance on gender, which redefines the term “gender” as “sex,” viewing it as an individual’s biological and immutable classification.
This shift is a key component of the executive order, which directs all federal agencies to ensure that official documents—including passports, visas, and Global Entry cards—accurately reflect a person’s biological sex. The order also requires that employee records, as well as communications from federal departments, adhere to this new policy. This directive follows through on one of President Trump’s promises during his campaign to promote a more traditional view of gender and to limit the use of federal resources for gender-affirming procedures.
The executive order also includes provisions that would impact healthcare and Medicaid policies. Trump has repeatedly expressed his opposition to gender-affirming procedures, particularly those involving minors. His administration has stated that hospitals and healthcare providers that offer gender-affirming care to youth, including medical treatments or surgeries, may not meet the standards required to receive funding through Medicaid and Medicare.
The announcement has prompted significant concern among LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who argue that it undermines the rights of non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming individuals. For many, the availability of an “X” gender marker on official documents had been a vital step toward gaining recognition and legal rights that reflect their true identities. Critics of the executive order contend that it erases the existence of a broad spectrum of gender identities and fails to recognize the lived experiences of people who do not conform to traditional notions of gender.
Supporters of the executive order, however, argue that it helps reinforce a more consistent and simplified approach to gender classifications in government documents. They contend that distinguishing only between male and female genders is a straightforward and clear policy that aligns with biological realities, according to their view of gender.
This policy change is part of a wider trend in the Trump administration’s approach to gender identity and transgender rights, which has sought to roll back many of the protections and accommodations established under previous administrations. The reversal of the “X” gender marker option on passports, in particular, has sparked a debate about the role of the federal government in acknowledging and accommodating diverse gender identities.
The Trump administration’s stance reflects a broader cultural and political divide over issues of gender identity and LGBTQ+ rights, with legal, medical, and social debates continuing to unfold across the country. The executive order is expected to have far-reaching implications for government agencies, healthcare systems, and the rights of individuals who do not identify strictly as male or female.
As the situation evolves, additional updates are anticipated, particularly regarding how the policy will affect those who currently hold passports with an “X” gender marker, and what alternative solutions, if any, may be offered to individuals impacted by these changes.
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