A new U.S.’ passport gender marker announced on March 31. Only male (M) and female (F) markers previously existed. Gender ‘X’ was added for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming individuals. U.S. citizens can choose X on their passport application from April 11. The gender X marker will also become available for other U.S. forms of documentation.
Dana Zzyym, the Associate Director of the Intersex Campaign for Equality (IC4E), received the first passport with an X marker last October. Zzyym first identified as intersex while serving in the navy. Zzyym tried to write ‘intersex’ on a passport application for the gender marker. That try failed because only M and F were recognized at the time. After two years, Zzyym filed a lawsuit in a U.S. District Court in Colorado. The court concluded in 2016 that “the policy of requiring either a male or female designation on passport applications violated due process and equal protection rights for intersex people.”
The U.S. Department of State’s announcement promotes freedom, and dignity not only for LGBTQI+ but also for all people. People who mark gender ‘X’ do not need to submit medical documentation to get approved for their gender marker. Also, gender markers do not have to match supporting documentation, such as birth certificates, previous passport, or state ID. However, there is a limit to gender X. People who choose ‘X’ on U.S. passport applications can be limited entry or transit to other countries. Some countries do not recognize the X.
Many countries can use the third gender on their passport based on two criteria; personal choice or required medical grounds. Colombia, Ireland, Canada, the U.S., Argentina, Pakistan, Iceland, Denmark, Nepal, Australia, and New Zealand allow individual choice. On the other hand, Germany and India require medical grounds.
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