Trump Executive Order Halts Passport Gender Marker Changes for Trans and Nonbinary Americans

The State Department has suspended processing passport applications requesting gender marker updates, leaving many in limbo and without vital identification documents.

• President Donald Trump's executive order mandates federal recognition of only two sexes, male and female, as unchangeable, reversing previous policies under the Biden administration.
• The U.S. State Department has stopped issuing passports with updated gender markers or the 'X' option, affecting transgender, nonbinary, and intersex Americans nationwide.
• Applicants who submitted requests for gender marker changes are left without their documents, including passports, birth certificates, and court orders, with no clear timeline for resolution.
• Legal and advocacy groups warn that the policy could increase discrimination and safety risks for affected individuals, particularly in housing, travel, and access to essential services.
• Critics argue the policy is discriminatory and intentionally creates confusion, with LGBTQ+ advocates considering legal challenges to address its broader implications.

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