By John Ikani
The United States has issued its first passport with an “X” gender designation, a milestone in the recognition of the rights of people who don’t identify as male or female.
Making the announcement on Wednessday, Spokesman of the US State Department, Ned Price, said the move was testament of the department’s commitment to “promoting the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people — including LGBTQ + persons.”
Though it has not been disclosed who the first passport was issued to, Mr Price said that the US would be adding the “X” gender marker as an option for those applying for U.S. passports or Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.
“We look forward to offering this option to all routine passport applicants once we complete the required system and form updates in early 2022,” Mr Price said.
Reacting to the development, US Special Diplomatic Envoy for LGBTQ rights, Jessica Stern described the move as historic and celebratory, saying it brings the government documents in line with the “lived reality” that there is a wider spectrum of human sex characteristics than is reflected in the previous two designations.
“When a person obtains identity documents that reflect their true identity, they live with greater dignity and respect,” Stern said.
What you should know
With the development, the United States joins a handful of countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Nepal and Canada, in allowing its citizens to designate a gender other than male or female on their passports.
The announcement of issuing passports with an “X” gender designation
was originally made in June by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, stating that the update would allow applicants to self-select their sex marker for passports, and that it “will no longer require medical certification” if an applicant’s self-selected sex marker doesn’t match the sex listed on other official identity documents.
The department now also allows applicants to self-select their gender as male or female, no longer requiring them to provide medical certification if their gender did not match that listed on their other identification documents.
