Executive Order Enforces Binary Gender Recognition
The U.S. State Department has stopped processing passport applications with the “X” gender marker after Trump signed an order. This order requires the federal government to recognize only male and female sexes on official documents. It effectively overturns policies implemented during Biden’s administration.
A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed the development on Friday, stating, “In line with that Order, the Department’s issuance of U.S. passports will reflect the individual’s biological sex as defined in the Executive Order.”
Previous Gender-Inclusive Policy Reversed
The policy change ends the Biden administration’s 2022 initiative allowing Americans to select “X” as a passport gender marker. The directive mandates federal agencies to align official records, such as passports and visas, with biological sex. It eliminates provisions accommodating non-binary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming individuals.
Guidance on how the government will handle previously issued passports featuring the “X” gender marker is expected soon, according to the State Department.
Implications for Federal Terminology and LGBTQ+ Rights
The administration’s order also includes broader language changes, replacing the term “gender” with “sex” across all federal documentation and policies. Critics view this move as part of a larger agenda to restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly non-binary and transgender citizens.
The executive order is coupled with efforts to limit federal funding for gender-affirming care and tighten regulations on healthcare providers serving transgender youth. Advocacy groups have raised concerns about the impact of these policies, describing them as a rollback of hard-fought rights.
Criticism from Advocacy Groups
LGBTQ+ rights organizations have condemned the executive order, arguing it undermines the dignity and rights of those who do not conform to a binary gender framework. Critics fear the policy will exacerbate discrimination and create additional challenges for non-binary individuals seeking recognition in legal and social spheres.
Federal Government Stands Firm Amid Opposition
Despite the backlash, the administration has maintained its stance, emphasizing that the order is aimed at creating “clarity and uniformity” in federal documentation. Officials have not indicated any plans to revisit the policy in the near future.
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