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The United States State Department has announced it will no longer process passport applications requesting the “X” gender marker.
This decision follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which mandates federal recognition of only two sexes—male and female.
According to CNN, a spokesperson for the State Department confirmed the suspension, stating that passports will now reflect an individual’s biological sex as outlined in the executive order.
“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,” the spokesperson said Friday.
The State Department said that “guidance regarding previously issued X sex marker passports is forthcoming.”
The directive reverses changes introduced under the Biden administration, which allowed Americans to select “X” as a gender marker starting in April 2022 to accommodate non-binary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming individuals.
CNN reports that the executive order further instructs all government agencies to ensure that official documents, including passports, visas, and employee records, align with the holder’s biological sex.
The federal government will also revert to using the term “sex” instead of “gender” in official documents and policies.
The administration has indicated that guidance on previously issued passports with the “X” marker will be provided soon.
The policy change reflects broader efforts by the administration to restrict federal funding for gender-affirming care and to impose stricter regulations on healthcare providers serving transgender youth.
Advocacy groups have expressed concern over the implications of the new policy for the LGBTQ+ community.
Critics argue the order undermines the rights of individuals who do not identify within the binary framework of male or female.
